Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 30, 2025
Development of a Novel Task-oriented Rehabilitation Program using a Bimanual Exoskeleton Robotic Hand
Published on: May 20, 2020
Development and Evaluation of a Customized Wrist-Hand Orthosis using 3D Technology for a Child with Cerebral Palsy -
Insights
Custom 3D-printed wrist-hand orthoses can improve hand function for children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). This assistive device enhances grip, writing, and feeding, offering a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing solution.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Technology
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Background:
- Cerebral Palsy (CP) affects over 100 million children globally.
- More than 60% of children with CP experience significant hand function difficulties due to spasticity and involuntary movements.
- Orthoses are therapeutic interventions to improve hand function in children with CP, with 3D technologies offering potential for high-quality, customized devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design, develop, and evaluate a customized wrist-hand orthosis using 3D technologies for a child with Cerebral Palsy.
- To assess the efficacy of a 3D-printed orthosis in improving hand function and user experience.
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-level 3D scanning for precise wrist-hand anatomy acquisition.
- Employed free 3D modeling software for orthosis design.
- Manufactured the customized orthosis using a low-cost 3D printer.
- Evaluated hand function using the Jebsen-Taylor Test of Hand Function (JTTHF).
Main Results:
- Observed improvements in affected hand function while wearing the orthosis.
- Specific subtest improvements included writing (13s), lifting small objects (0.9s), and simulated feeding (69.3s).
- The customized orthosis provided enhanced comfort, better fitting, and an appealing aesthetic design.
Conclusions:
- 3D-printed customized wrist-hand orthoses can effectively improve functional hand skills in children with CP.
- This technology offers a viable solution for creating personalized, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing assistive devices.
- Further research is needed to evaluate such devices across a larger pediatric population with CP.
Abstract:
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a disability that affects more than 100 million children. More than 60% of these children have significant difficulties within their hand abilities, affected by involuntary movements and spasticity. So, to overcome this issue, orthoses are being employed as therapeutic intervention and can allow children with CP to have an opportunity to better use their hands. Three-dimensional (3D) technologies provide the generation of high-quality orthopedic products. Although, there are limited studies related to the evaluation of such assistive devices, especially for children. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to design, develop and evaluate a customized wrist-hand orthosis using 3D technologies for a child with CP. So, it was used a high-level 3D scanning to acquire the wrist-hand anatomy, a free software for 3D modelling and a low-cost 3D printer for manufacturing the orthosis. The Jebsen-Taylor Test of Hand Function (JTTHF) was used to evaluate unilateral hand abilities. We noticed improvements while wearing the orthosis at the affected hand, in the following subtests: writing (13 s), lifting small objects (0.9 s) and simulated feeding (69.3 s). The customized orthosis was able not only to improve some functional hand skills, but also to provide comfort, better fitting and with an appealing aesthetic design.
