Author ORCID Identifier
Stergiou - https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9737-9939
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-8-2017
Abstract
Introduction: There is limited knowledge on the use of 3 D-printed transitional prostheses, as they relate to changes in function and strength. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify functional and strength changes after usage of 3 D-printed transitional prostheses for multiple weeks for children with upper-limb differences.
Materials and methods: Gross manual dexterity was assessed using the Box and Block Test and wrist strength was measured using a dynamometer. This testing was conducted before and after a period of 24 ± 2.61 weeks of using a 3 D-printed transitional prosthesis. The 11 children (five girls and six boys; 3–15 years of age) who participated in the study, were fitted with a 3 D-printed transitional partial hand (n = 9) or an arm (n = 2) prosthesis.
Results: Separate two-way repeated measures ANOVAs were performed to analyze function and strength data. There was a significant hand by time interaction for function, but not for strength.
Conclusion and relevance to the study of disability and rehabilitation: The increase in manual gross dexterity suggests that the Cyborg Beast 2 3 D-printed prosthesis can be used as a transitional device to improve function in children with traumatic or congenital upper-limb differences.
- Implications for Rehabilitation
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Children’s prosthetic needs are complex due to their small size, rapid growth, and psychosocial development.
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Advancements in computer-aided design and additive manufacturing offer the possibility of designing and printing transitional prostheses at a very low cost, but there is limited knowledge on the function of this type of devices.
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The use of 3D printed transitional prostheses may improve manual gross dexterity in children after several weeks of using it.
Journal Title
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology
Volume
14
Issue
1
First Page
68
Last Page
74
Recommended Citation
Zuniga, J.M., Peck, J.L., Srivastava, R., Pierce, J.E., Dudley, D.R., Than, N.A., & Stergiou, N. (2017, November 8). Functional changes through the usage of 3d-printed transitional prostheses in children. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 14(1), 68-74. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2017.1398279
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Comments
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in [Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology] on [November 8, 2017], available online: