3D-Printed Ergonomically Designed Feeding Aid for Patients With Limited Manual Dexterity

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Ergonomics

Background:

• Limited hand and finger mobility significantly impairs self-feeding abilities.
• Traditional feeding utensils often have slender handles that are difficult to grip for patients with motor control issues.
• Restricted ability to eat independently can lead to decreased self-esteem and increased reliance on caregivers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a straightforward method for creating customized, ergonomically designed handles for feeding aids.
• To improve utensil grip and control for individuals with hand and finger movement restrictions.
• To enhance patient independence and self-esteem through improved feeding accessibility.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of custom feeding aid handles using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology.
• Utilizing materials commonly found in dental offices for accessibility and cost-effectiveness.
• Ergonomic design principles applied to create handles optimized for patient hand and finger anatomy.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of 3D-printed, customized feeding aid handles.
• Demonstrated improvement in grip and control for patients using the adapted utensils.
• The method provides a simple and accessible solution for personalizing feeding aids.

Conclusions:

• Customized 3D-printed handles offer a viable solution to improve feeding independence for individuals with restricted hand function.
• This approach can significantly enhance the quality of life by restoring self-esteem and reducing dependency.
• The described fabrication technique is practical, utilizing readily available resources.