3D-Printing in Occupational Therapy

3D-Printing in Occupations

What is Occupational Therapy?

Assistive Technology (AT) can be the only means for some people to engage in their desired occupations. AT comes in many forms which can be hard for some patients to access. 3D-printing has the possibily to close this gap and help people engage in their meaningful occupations.

Benefits of 3D-printing

Assistive technology

• Jose Cano OT-S
• (240)490-6375
• jcano12@miners.utep.edu

Splinting and Orthosis

Conclusion

Conclusion

3D-printing is an emerging technology that can help people with physical disabilities and/or other needs to engage in their meaningful activities and occupations. Pre-fabricated assistive technology can be expensive to aquire for some people; 3D-printers can help reduce the costs of traditional assistive technology/devices, while keeping comfortable wear, aesthetics and personalization, at a lower cost. Assistive technology, splinting and orthosis are some of the devices that can be 3D printed and help people engage in their meaningful occupations.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a discipline that helps people to engage in their meaningful activities through the therapetic use of everyday occupations. OT services can be focused in habilitation, rehabilitation, and promotion of health and wellness for patients with disability and non-disability needs.

Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process—Fourth Edition. (2020). The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Supplement_2), 7412410010p1–7412410010p87. https://10.5014/ajot.2020.74S2001

Splinting and Orthosis

Splinting is a special technique that is used to immobilize and/or support certain parts of the body depending on the patient's condition. Splinting is usually applied through the use of thermoplastic materials that can be molded to the patient's needs.

Orthoses are a type of brace that helps support the body and helps with pain, joint alignment and mobility.

Benefits of 3D-Printing

3D-printing is an emerging technology that has been incorporated in many fields, and healthcare can be one of those fields. By using 3D-printers, different types of AT can be created to help people engage in their desired occupations. Some examples of possible 3D-printed AT can include special grips to hold pencils, adapted utensils, button hooks to help with dressing, among many other possibilities. 3D-printing can also lower the costs associated with AT and make it more easily accessible to the population.

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology (AT) can be any item that helps people with disabilities to improve, or maintain functional capabilities. AT differs in the level of technology depending on what is required, some can be high tech such as computer programs, or low tech such as communication boards. The type of AT will depend on the person needs and their meaningful occupations.

Assistive Technology Industry Association. (2025). What is at?. ATIA. https://www.atia.org/home/at-resources/what-is-at/