Effectiveness of warm compresses in reducing the temperature of febrile children: A pilot randomized clinical trial*

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the application of a warm compress in association with the prescribed antipyretic drug compared to the effect of the prescribed antipyretic alone, in reducing fever in hospitalized children. Method: This is a pilot randomized clinical trial performed in pediatric units of a secondary-level hospital. The convenience sample consisted of 33 children with axillary temperature greater than or equal to 37.8°C (100°F), randomized to the control group (antipyretics) or intervention group (antipyretics + warm compresses). Temperature was monitored in both groups for 3 hours and data were collected using standardized instruments, analyzed using Mann Whitney, Fisher’s Exact, Chi-Square, and ANOVA tests. Results: The control group consisted of 17 children and the intervention group of 16 children. The temperature of all children decreased over time, with progressive attenuation, with a lower final mean in the control group (p=0.035). In the intervention group, irritability and crying were observed in 12.5% of the children. Conclusion: The application of warm compresses in association with antipyretics was not effective in reducing fever in hospitalized children compared to the use of pharmacological measures alone. Clinical trial registration protocol: UTN-U1111-1229-1599.