DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF A HAND-ANATOMY-BASED 3D-PRINTED ERGONOMIC PEN GRIP

Abstract

This pilot study presents the design and evaluation of a personalized 3D-printed ergonomic pen grip aimed at reducing hand fatigue and improving grip efficiency during writing tasks. A custom pen grip was developed by creating a three-point grasp mould from the dominant hand of a healthy adult, which was digitized via 3D scanning, refined using CAD software, and printed using PLA filament with fused deposition modelling (FDM) technology. The participant completed writing tasks under three different conditions: at rest, after writing with the ergonomic grip, and after writing without it. Grip and pinch strengths were assessed using a hydraulic hand dynamometer and pinch meter. Findings revealed that the decrease in grip strength was smaller after writing with the ergonomic grip compared to the no-device condition. The participant reported less finger fatigue and greater comfort, although writing time was slightly longer when using the device. These results underscore the potential utility of personalized 3D-printed assistive devices in occupational rehabilitation, particularly for individuals experiencing hand fatigue or diminished grip capacity.