There were four experimental sessions (for the four hand
conditions) which took place in successive weeks, with the order
of presentation of the hand conditions randomized across the
participants. Each session consisted of four 30-min cycles of the
task (equivalent to a 2-h work period except that short breaks took
place at 30 min intervals to permit measurement of the hand
capabilities of touch sensitivity, hand grip strength and forearm
torque strength). Participants had adequate rest after each 30-min
cycle while these capability measures and the subjective assessments
were recorded, and therefore it was decided that no further
rest periods were required. However, the participants were told
that they could ask for further rest periods if necessary but none did
so during the trials.