A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF 2D AND 3D SCAN-BASED 3D-PRINTED WRIST SPLINTS

Abstract

This crossover design study was conducted to verify the usefulness of two-dimensional (2D) scan-based three-dimensional (3D)-printed wrist splints versus that of 3D scan-based 3D-printed wrist splints. To apply the two splints to the participants, made using different methods, a crossover design was applied by randomly assigning two groups of five people each. Their work performance and wrist pain were then evaluated. Work performance was evaluated by using a grooved pegboard. Wrist pain was evaluated by using the patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) before and after performing the grooved pegboard test. No statistical difference existed in task performance between each splint group. Wrist pain was significantly higher for splints made with the 3D scanning method than for splints made with the 2D scanning method. Therefore, we believe that the 2D scanning method will be more useful for patients when making splints with 3D printing.