Study, design and prototyping of arm splint with additive manufacturing process
The aim1 of this study is to propose the additive manufactured 3D printed technique for adaptive organic design splint as a solution for the problems generated by the use of casts in medical applications. Since the end of the XVIII century, when casts begin to be used, they have barely improved. Thanks to new manufacture and material techniques, we can improve and modernize this commonly used fracture treatment method. Based on three dimensional digitalization techniques and modeling via reverse engineering software, a 3D printed splint is proposed, which will provide the benefits of cast avoiding its deficiencies.
Determinants of the use of wrist working splints in rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To gain insight into the determinants of the use of wrist working splints among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
A qualitative descriptive study was performed among 18 patients with RA who recently received a fabric wrist working splint because of pain due to arthritis of the wrist. Patients were interviewed at home using semistructured in-depth interviews. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the framework approach.


RESULTS
The majority of patients indicated that their splint use was dependent on the seriousness of the symptoms (pain, swelling, or tingling feelings) they perceived. Important reasons to wear the splint were reduction of symptoms, wrist support, and immobilization of the wrist. Important reasons to stop wearing the splint were reduced functional abilities using the splint and the performance of dirty or wet activities.


CONCLUSION
The reasons for patients to wear and not wear wrist working splints are related to intentional decisions of the patients, which are primarily based on perceived benefits and barriers of splint wearing. The results of this study have been used to develop educational and behavioral strategies to increase adherence to wearing wrist working splints.
Prophets praying for, or preying on people’s faith: A reflection on prophetic ministry in the South African context
In mainline churches, the ministry of prophecy or the prophetic ministry involves the proclamation of the gospel. This, in turn, is related to the every-believer ministry. However, there is now a resurgence of the prophetic ministry as a special office as evidenced by the establishment of neo-prophetic churches. This article argues that neo-prophetic churches are tapping into people’s longing for the fresh divine word to speak directly into their personal situations. The article also probes whether neo-prophets in the prophetic activities are not also preying on people’s faith.