Traditional methods of custom orthosis fabrication are prone to challenges and limitations. Three-dimensional (3D) printing has been piloted with lower extremity orthotics and worthy of exploration with upper extremities. The aim of this study was to compare three-dimensionally printed wrist immobilization splints to conventionally made orthoses in terms of fabrication, comfort, and functionality. Three healthy participants with no history of wrist or hand conditions were recruited to be fitted for conventional and 3D-printed wrist immobilization splints. A sequential mixed-methods study design was conducted to explore comfort, fabrication, and functionality. An ethnographic study was conducted afterward to further understand the fabrication process of 3D-printed orthotics. The Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology and a Splint Analysis form was used to assess comfort. The function was assessed using the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test. A five-point satisfaction Likert scale was used to evaluate fabrication. Although the results were not statistically significant due to the small sample size, 3D-printed orthotics appear to provide some benefits over traditional methods.
Date Presented 04/02/2022
This study focuses on the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on college students’ health, well-being, and academic success. The stress impact of COVID-19 (rho = .381) was greater than the stress related to online learning (rho = -.313, p < .001). This study can be used as a resource for further and currently ongoing studies about college students’ coping abilities during a pandemic.
Primary Author and Speaker: John A. Damiao
Additional Authors and Speakers: Catherine Cavaliere, Julia Carroll, Evangeline Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Laskoski, Amanda Rigolli
Contributing Authors: Cecelia Wegener
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