Date Presented 04/04/2025
This study compares OT students’ perspectives on the comfort, appearance, fit, functionality, and ability to don and doff 3D-printed, prefabricated, and custom fabricated splints. Findings support the need for skilled therapists in outpatient settings.
Primary Author and Speaker: Gabrielle L. Timoteo
Additional Authors and Speakers: Rosa Azzato, Carol Cote, Grace Clark, Lily Nowak, Emerson Krasnickas, Katherine Posillico, Elizabeth Flewelling, Lea Grant
PURPOSE: To compare occupational therapy students’ perspectives on the comfort, appearance, fit, functionality, and ability to don and doff 3D printed splints, prefabricated splints, and custom-made (thermoplastic) splints.
DESIGN: A quantitative study was completed with a convenience sample of 43 occupational therapy students attending the University of Scranton from January 2023 to May 2024. All participants were recruited through surveys and an email to ensure they met inclusion criteria and consent was obtained before they participated in this study. No participants had a pre-existing hand condition requiring therapeutic intervention.
METHOD: Participants completed precision, bilateral coordination, and manual dexterity tasks at three different stations while donning one of three splints in a randomized sequence. Questionnaires were completed following each station, as well as at the end of the rotation, to identify participants’ opinions on each splint type. Data analysis was conducted using a chi-squared test to determine significance of results.
RESULTS: The prefabricated splint was perceived to be the most comfortable due to its soft material and flexibility. Thus, analysis focused on the thermoplastic and 3D splints due to more rigid and supportive materials. Regarding the 3D printed splint compared to the custom-made, chi-squared data was significant for the worst appearance (5.14 at p<.05), least comfortable (18.24 at p<.001), and difficult to use (10.7 at p<.001). Hardest to don was not significant (3.24 at p<.05).
CONCLUSION: Participants’ favor towards the thermoplastic splint supports the value of skilled occupational therapists in a hand rehabilitation setting. However, the rise of 3D printing continues to have implications in this field, and may benefit from the identification of weaknesses as in this study. It is imperative that practitioners stay up to date with technological advancements to provide the greatest quality of care to clients.
References
Slegers, K., Krieg, A. M., & Lexis, A. S. (2022). Acceptance of 3D printing by occupational therapists: An exploratory survey study. Occupational Therapy International, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/424190
Waldburger, L., Schaller, R., Furthmüller, C., Schrepfer, L., Schaefer, D. J., & Kaempfen, A. (2021). 3D-printed hand splints versus thermoplastic splints: A randomized controlled pilot feasibility trial. International Journal of Bioprinting, 8(1), 474. https://doi.org/10.18063/ijb.v8i1.474
Irani, N., Ozelie, R. (2022). Satisfactions with customizable 3D-printed finger orthoses compared to commercial finger orthoses. Journal of Prosthetics & Orthotics, 34(2), 59. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2016
Oud, T., Kerkum, Y., Groot, P. D., Gijsbergs, H., Nollet, F., Brehm, M.A. (2021a). Production time and user satisfaction of 3-dimensional printed orthoses for chronic hand conditions compared with conventional orthoses: A prospective case series. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 4. https://doi.org/10.2340/20030711-1000048
