Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2023 Nov;18(8):1466-1472. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2022.2034996. Epub 2022 Feb 11.
Three-dimensional (3 D) printing of assistive technology (AT) is an emerging intervention in rehabilitation sciences. Existing research primarily considers narrow applications of this technology with most studies focussing on a single type of assistive device. Individuals with amyotrophic lateral scleroses (ALS) have high abandonment rates of prefabricated AT. Therefore, the goal of this project was to determine the implementation and acceptability feasibility of meeting AT needs through the creation of customized, 3D-printed devices within an existing multidisciplinary ALS clinic.
Implementation feasibility was measured using descriptive statistics about the research team's ability to fulfil device requests. Acceptability was evaluated using semi-structured patient satisfaction interviews after AT device provision. The study utilized thematic analysis to identify patterns in the qualitative data collected from participant interviews.
Nine participants identified at least one need for 3D-printed assistive devices customized to their unique performance abilities and needs. Seven participants received 3D-printed devices, four of whom completed the follow-up interview. The research team was able to fulfil 20 of 34 device requests, supporting implementation feasibility. Thematic analysis revealed three themes from the interviews: Satisfaction with Devices and Services, Value of Training as a Service, and Increased Participation and Choice.
These findings demonstrate implementation feasibility and participant satisfaction with the process of receiving devices, supporting acceptability feasibility. Future research into the efficacy of customized 3D-printed AT is recommended.Implications for rehabilitationIndividuals with ALS have unmet needs in assistive technology.Custom AT development using 3D printing can be implemented within an existing, multidisciplinary ALS clinic.Future 3D printing research should rigorously investigate methods to meet the unique needs and challenges of individuals in this setting.
三维（3D）打印辅助技术（AT）是康复科学领域的一种新兴干预手段。现有研究主要考虑该技术的狭隘应用，大多数研究都集中在一种辅助设备上。肌萎缩侧索硬化症（ALS）患者对预制辅助技术的弃用率很高。因此，本项目的目标是确定通过在现有的多学科 ALS 诊所中创建定制的 3D 打印设备来满足 AT 需求的实施和可接受性的可行性。
通过研究团队满足设备需求的能力的描述性统计来衡量实施可行性。使用设备提供后的患者满意度半结构化访谈评估可接受性。该研究采用主题分析来识别从参与者访谈中收集的定性数据中的模式。
9 名参与者确定了至少一种需要定制的 3D 打印辅助设备，以满足其独特的表现能力和需求。7 名参与者收到了 3D 打印设备，其中 4 名完成了随访访谈。研究团队能够满足 34 个设备请求中的 20 个，支持实施可行性。访谈的主题分析揭示了三个主题：对设备和服务的满意度、培训作为服务的价值，以及增加参与和选择。
这些发现表明了实施的可行性和参与者对接受设备过程的满意度，支持了可接受性的可行性。建议对定制的 3D 打印 AT 的疗效进行进一步研究。
肌萎缩侧索硬化症患者的辅助技术需求未得到满足。
使用 3D 打印进行定制的辅助技术开发可以在现有的多学科 ALS 诊所中实施。
未来的 3D 打印研究应严格研究满足该环境中个体独特需求和挑战的方法。
