Feasibility of a Customized Assistive Technology Service in Outpatient Rehabilitation

Prefabricated assistive technology (AT) devices often do not meet users’ unique needs, resulting in device abandonment, particularly when the device is selected by clinicians without input from the user (Gruis et al., 2011). Low-volume manufacturing techniques like 3D printing make it possible to create custom AT to meet patients’ specific needs. Our prior work shows that a custom AT service is feasible within a diagnosis-specific ALS clinic (Rasmussen… Janes, 2022). The long-term goal of this work is to establish protocols for consistent provision of custom AT. The purpose of this study is to establish the feasibility of a custom AT service in a multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation clinic. We used a cross-sectional design to study the feasibility of a custom AT service. Licensed OT & PT practitioners in the clinic were eligible to submit device requests. The local institutional review board exempted the study from oversight. Therapists evaluated clients, worked with them to identify AT needs, and submitted device requests through a secure online platform. The research team, including two occupational therapists and OT students, created and delivered devices. The online platform tracked request details and delivery dates. We calculated descriptive statistics to determine feasibility. 43 valid device requests were received in one year, one of which was rejected due to safety concerns. Two devices are still being designed. 40 Devices were delivered in a median of 11 days, 3 days ahead of the requested due dates. These results suggest the potential feasibility of a custom AT service provided to a multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation clinic. Importantly, we have identified several key features that contributed to the success of the program and several areas for improvement. Impact Statement: These findings provide valuable guidance for the future of an emerging approach to meeting the needs of clients for whom ‘one-size-fits-all’ is insufficient.

References

Gruis, K. L., Wren, P. A., & Huggins, J. E. (2011). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients’ self‐reported satisfaction with assistive technology. Muscle & nerve, 43(5), 643–647.

Rasmussen, K. A. M., Stewart, B. C., & Janes, W. E. (2022). Feasibility of customized 3D-printed assistive technology within an existing multidisciplinary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinic. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 1–7.