Experiences of the use of 3D printed hand ortoprosthesis (Cyborg Beast) in adolescents with congenital hand amputation and their main caregivers: A study of cases

Abstract

Objective: To describe the experience of using the 3D-printed prosthetic hand Cyborg Beast in adolescents of Teletón Santiago with congenital hand amputation and their main caregivers who participated in a case study to evaluate the functionality of the prosthetic hand.

Clinical Case: Qualitative and descriptive research of case studies using semi-structured interviews with five adolescents with congenital hand amputation and their main caregivers. The information was transcribed and analyzed through open coding. Participants visualize the prosthesis as an opportunity for them by associating it with normality. They also identify positive and negative characteristics, emphasizing in the latter. In addition, they described positive and negative effects produced when using the prosthesis, highlighting that the use of the prosthesis allows them to talk about their condition. Finally, improvement proposals for the prosthesis are presented, defining that the prototype must be corrected and change the age of the target population.

Conclusions: The study is the first to investigate a little explored topic, allowing to provide information regarding the subjective experience of adolescents who use a prosthesis that currently has great media importance. The study participants reported difficulties in using the hand prosthesis, either due to materiality and design aspects. The prosthesis did not meet the expectations of use and esthetic.