# Comparison of low temperature thermoplastic and 3D printed (TPU and PLA) CMC joint stabilization orthoses in healthy participants

## TL;DR

This study compares user satisfaction and hand function of different CMC orthoses made from TPU, PLA, and LTT materials in healthy individuals.

## Contribution

It provides preliminary data comparing 3D-printed and thermoplastic orthoses for CMC joint stabilization in healthy participants.

## Key findings

- TPU and LTT orthoses had higher satisfaction scores than PLA orthoses.
- TPU orthoses performed better in hand function tests than PLA and LTT orthoses.
- No significant difference was found between TPU and LTT in satisfaction scores.

## Abstract

Carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA) significantly impacts hand function and quality of life, particularly in older adults, and highlights the importance of effective conservative management strategies. Orthoses are a preferred conservative treatment, with recent advancements in 3D printing offering personalized alternatives. However, data comparing the outcomes of 3D-printed orthoses and traditional thermoplastic options are limited. Evaluating orthosis materials under controlled conditions may provide preliminary insights relevant for future clinical research. This study aims to evaluate and compare user satisfaction and functional outcomes of CMC orthoses made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polylactic acid (PLA), and low temperature thermoplastic (LTT) materials in healthy individuals. A comparative analysis conducted on healthy volunteers to assess satisfaction and functionality of different orthosis materials. Thirty healthy participants (15 males, 15 females, mean age 21 years) were recruited. Each participant used three types of CMC orthoses (TPU, PLA, and LTT) for two hours. User satisfaction was assessed using the Quebec Assistive Technology User Satisfaction Evaluation (QUEST 2.0), and hand function was measured using the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTT). Statistical analyses appropriate for repeated-measures designs were used for group comparisons. TPU and LTT orthoses achieved statistically significant higher total scores on the QUEST 2.0 survey compared to PLA orthoses (p < 0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were observed between TPU and LTT orthoses. In the JTT total score, TPU orthoses performed statistically significantly better than both PLA and LTT orthoses (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between PLA and LTT orthoses. TPU orthoses demonstrated higher satisfaction scores compared to PLA and similar outcomes to LTT under short-term experimental conditions in healthy participants. These findings provide preliminary, experimental data obtained in healthy participants and may inform future clinical studies evaluating orthosis materials in symptomatic CMC osteoarthritis. Further studies in symptomatic populations with longer follow-up periods are needed to determine clinical relevance.