3D Printing and Physiotherapy Help Children with Disabilities Regain Their Independence

A new Spanish project is showing how 3D printing technology can significantly improve the lives of children with disabilities. The initiative was developed by the San Juan de Dios Comillas University School of Nursing and Physiotherapy (EUEF) in Madrid. In collaboration with five healthcare and social service organizations, the project has enabled third-year physiotherapy students to design and use 3D printing to create customized devices that enhance the autonomy and quality of life of young patients.

The program is part of a Service-Learning methodology, where future professionals not only gain technical skills but also learn through empathy, commitment, and active listening. In this context, 3D printing becomes an accessible and adaptable tool, capable of providing tailored solutions for real-world needs. It also helps overcome both financial and functional barriers that many commercial devices fail to address.

The students have worked closely with other therapists and families.

Students work on individual cases, collaborating closely with therapists and families. One example is Marcela Marcial, who designed a custom wrist splint that improved a young girl’s mobility, making it easier for her to maneuver her wheelchair. Other standout projects include Diego Ruiz’s interchangeable grip system for standing frames and Laura Fernández’s device to help improve thumb extension during physiotherapy sessions.