Merel Brehm, Tanja Oud, and Frans Nollet are very pleased with the recently awarded grant of €99,755 from ZonMw, within the framework of the programme Goed Gebruik Hulpmiddelenzorg Thuis, for the project: 3D printed orthoses for improving daily functioning in chronic hand conditions.

In this 15-month feasibility study, they will collect 'early' data on the effectiveness of 3D printed orthoses for permanent use in people with chronic hand conditions in order to guide the design of a larger, future study on the cost-effectiveness of 3D printed orthoses compared to conventional orthoses in this target group. In addition, a frequently used questionnaire for measuring daily activities, the OPUS, will be translated into Dutch and its reliability in people with chronic hand diseases will be investigated. The project startsat the end of 2021 and will be carried out in cooperation with OIM orthopaedics, location Zwolle and Nijmegen.