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Tepid massage for febrile children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Lim Junghee,
Kim Juyoung,
Moon Bora,
Kim Gaeun
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
international journal of nursing practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.62
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1440-172X
pISSN - 1322-7114
DOI - 10.1111/ijn.12649
Subject(s) - massage , checklist , medicine , chills , physical therapy , meta analysis , adverse effect , alternative medicine , surgery , psychology , pathology , cognitive psychology
Aim This study aimed to examine the effect of tepid massage in febrile children comparing with other fever management. Methods Experimental studies published in English were included; quasi‐experimental research studies were also included in consideration of rare experimental studies in Korean. The search strategy sought to identify published research reports in the English language and covered all major databases up to 2016. The methodological quality of each study was assessed by 2 independent reviewers using a Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network's Methodology Checklist. Means and standard deviations were used for continuous variables, and standardized mean difference was used for variables of different scales. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 statistics after visual reviewing with forest plots. Results This study reviewed mainly the effect of tepid massage on temperature compared with the use of antipyretics, along with other adverse effects in relation with fever management. The results revealed no significant effect of tepid massage on temperature in febrile children. In addition, incidence rates of adverse effects including chills, goose pimples, and discomfort were higher in tepid massage groups. Conclusion This meta‐analysis showed the need for re‐verification of commonly used practice including the use of tepid massage and proper body temperature measurement.