The College of Nursing at the University of Baghdad discussed a doctoral dissertation titled “The Efficacy of Mixing Wood Shavings with Plaster Casts on Pain, Comfort, and Recovery Time for Patients with Fractures and Sprains: A Randomized Clinical Trial), by researcher Rasul Rahim Laftah, under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Haider Muhammad Majid, in the college’s Skills Hall.
The study primarily aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a plaster cast reinforced with birch wood powder (Birch \ Wood \ Powder) in reducing pain levels and improving patient comfort, while examining the effect of this powder in enhancing the absorption and retention of moisture and skin secretions to improve the therapeutic environment of the affected limb, as well as determining the impact of the innovative cast in accelerating the healing process and improving clinical outcomes compared to traditional casts.
The study concluded that the cast reinforced with naturally extracted birch wood powder demonstrated high efficacy in reducing pain and improving patient comfort compared to traditional casts, It also demonstrated exceptional moisture management capabilities due to the high porosity of the wood particles, and its physical properties—such as light weight and thermal insulation—contributed to reducing healing time and enhancing functional recovery in patients.
The thesis concluded with key recommendations emphasizing the need to adopt this innovative cast as a low-cost option in healthcare facilities and to encourage the manufacturing and development of biocomposite (biocomposite casts) based on natural wood powder to improve the quality of nursing and therapeutic care, as well as conducting multicenter studies to evaluate their mechanical properties and expand their use in fracture stabilization and bone and joint care. The researcher’s efforts were crowned with a summa cum laude distinction.
In a related context, this study reflects the commitment of academic institutions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 on good health and well-being. The development and innovation of low-cost, highly effective therapeutic materials contribute to building a sustainable health system that ensures improved quality of medical and nursing care provided to patients, in line with global visions for the development of societies through integrated and sustainable healthcare
