Learning program enhances rehabilitation professionals’ perceived ease of using 3d printing: a pilot randomized controlled trial

The pilot study evaluated whether a learning program enhances a positive perception of 3D printing technology in rehabilitation professionals. Physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language-hearing therapists were recruited from a rehabilitation department in a middle-sized hospital. Participants were randomized to the control group (<i>n</i> = 13) or the intervention group (<i>n</i> = 14). An eight-week learning program consisted of a lecture on using a 3D printer and related software, a group discussion to integrate 3D printing into their clinical practices, and the implementation in their workplace. Outcome measures included the perception of 3D printing technology assessed by the Japanese version of the modified Technology Acceptance Model questionnaire for 3D printing technology (TAM-J). Assessment time points were pre-and post-intervention. As a result, all participants in the intervention group became capable of producing 3D-printed customized assistive devices. In the within-group analyses, the intervention group showed significant improvements in the TAM-J perception ease of use score (<i>p</i> = 0.012) with a large effect size (<i>r</i> = 0.75). Between-group analyses showed that the intervention group gained an additional improvement in the TAM-J perception ease of use score (<i>p</i> = 0.027) with a moderate effect size (<i>r</i> = 0. 43), indicating a significant improvement in the perceived ease of use of 3D printing technology in the intervention group. These observations suggest the 3D printing learning program could provide rehabilitation professionals with a positive perception of the technical aspect of 3D printing in their workplace.