Dimintiyanova Oksana Yakova, Meershoek Agnes, de Kuyper Nicolai Henri, Rao Arathi P, Bhat Anil K
Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Department of Health, Ethics, and Society, Maastricht University, Research school of CAPHRI, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Disabil Rehabil. 2025 Jun;47(13):3459-3469. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2421431. Epub 2024 Nov 1.
Children with congenital upper limb difference (CULD) in India have limited access to treatment with conventional prostheses. 3D printed prosthetic devices (3DPP) can function as transitional prostheses for growing children with congenital transverse deficiency. They are low-cost and the designs are easily customized. However, functional outcomes, access, and acceptability are still unexplored in many clinical settings. This qualitative study sought perspectives from Indian mothers of children with CULD using 3DPP for the first time. The objective was to enhance understanding of 3DPP acceptability and to explore how their children utilized these devices.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven mothers of children aged 3 to 11 years with varying levels of CULD who had been fitted with a 3DPP for at least 1 month prior. The interviews aimed to gather insights into the children's daily experiences with the devices and the mothers' perceptions of 3DPP. Thematic analysis was carried out using an inductive approach.
Four major themes were identified through thematic analysis. They were: 1. Design and functionality of 3DPP, 2. Adaptation patterns, 3. Social attitudes and perceptions, and 4. Access to the Center for congenital hand differences: location and its services.
Our study explores the early-stage use and acceptance of 3DPP in India. Mothers reported several reasons for prosthesis abandonment including functional limitations, pain, and unmet expectations. The acceptability of 3DPP was moderate among close family, but social stigmatization was still a barrier to continued use. Addressing these issues and offering tailored solutions could be important to achieve successful 3DPP adaptation.
在印度，患有先天性上肢差异（CULD）的儿童获得传统假肢治疗的机会有限。3D打印假肢装置（3DPP）可作为患有先天性横断性肢体缺损的成长中儿童的过渡性假肢。它们成本低廉，设计易于定制。然而，在许多临床环境中，其功能结果、可及性和可接受性仍未得到探索。这项定性研究首次从使用3DPP的印度CULD儿童母亲那里寻求观点。目的是加深对3DPP可接受性的理解，并探索她们的孩子如何使用这些装置。
对7名年龄在3至11岁、患有不同程度CULD且已佩戴3DPP至少1个月的儿童的母亲进行了半结构化访谈。访谈旨在深入了解儿童使用这些装置的日常经历以及母亲们对3DPP的看法。采用归纳法进行主题分析。
通过主题分析确定了四个主要主题。它们是：1. 3DPP的设计与功能，2. 适应模式，3. 社会态度与看法，4. 先天性手部差异治疗中心的可及性：地点及其服务。
我们的研究探索了3DPP在印度的早期使用和接受情况。母亲们报告了假肢被弃用的几个原因，包括功能限制、疼痛和期望未得到满足。3DPP在亲密家庭成员中的可接受性中等，但社会污名化仍是持续使用的障碍。解决这些问题并提供量身定制的解决方案对于成功适应3DPP可能很重要。
