Search

Background: Orthosis fabrication is a widely used technique in occupational therapy, and there is growing evidence supporting the use of 3D printing in the fabrication of cost-effective orthotics. Nevertheless, further research is needed to enable informed decision-making when selecting appropriate orthotic materials. Method: A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the fabrication processes and final products of thumb immobilization orthosis made with three different materials from the fabricator's perspective. Factors examined included the required equipment and materials, assessment of time and skills involved in the fabrication process, evaluation of ease of adjustment during fabrication, and objective measurements of functional outcomes. Results: Among the different orthosis materials evaluated, the 3D-printed orthotic demonstrated the highest level of cost-effectiveness and replicability. However, it was also found to be the most timeconsuming to fabricate, requiring a significant learning commitment and initial investment. Conclusion: Thermoplastic may be better suited for functional orthoses, while fiberglass cast may be more appropriate for short-term and non-functional orthoses. It is crucial for fabricators to have a comprehensive understanding of orthotic materials and their properties to select the most suitable option based on the user's specific condition and occupational requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Occupational therapy (OT) is a critical component of the rehabilitation process after spinal cord injury (SCI), the constitution of which has not been studied or documented in full detail previously., Objective: To describe the type and distribution of SCI rehabilitation OT activities, including the amount of time spent on evaluation and treatment, and to discuss predictors (patient and injury characteristics) of the amount of time dedicated to OT treatment activities., Methods: Six inpatient rehabilitation centers enrolled 600 patients with traumatic SCI in the first year of the SCIRehab. Occupational therapists documented 32 512 therapy sessions including time spent and specifics of each therapeutic activity. Analysis of variance and contingency tables/chi-square tests were used to test differences across neurologic injury groups for continuous and categorical variables., Results: SCIRehab patients received a mean total of 52 hours of OT over the course of their rehabilitation stay. Statistically significant differences among four neurologic injury groups were seen in time spent on each OT activity. The activities that consumed the most OT time (individual and group sessions combined) were strengthening/endurance exercises, activities of daily living (ADLs), range of motion (ROM)/stretching, education, and a grouping of 'therapeutic activities' that included tenodesis training, fine motor activities, manual therapy, vestibular training, edema management, breathing exercise, cognitive retraining, visual/perceptual training desensitization, and don/doff adaptive equipment. Seventy-seven percent of OT work occurred in individual treatment sessions, with the most frequent OT activity involving ADLs. The variation in time (mean minutes per week) spent on OT ROM/stretching, ADLs, transfer training, assessment, and therapeutic activities can be explained in part by patient and injury characteristics, such as admission Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score, neurologic injury group, and the medical severity of illness score., Conclusion: OT treatment patterns for patients with traumatic SCI show much variation in activity selection and time spent on activities, within and among neurologic level of injury groups. Some of the variation can be explained by patient and injury characteristics. Almost all patients with SCI participated in strengthening/ endurance and ROM/stretching exercises during OT treatment and these two activities are where the most time was spent when therapy provided in individual and group settings was combined. ADL work consumed the most time in individual therapy sessions.