The Effectiveness of a Gel Mattress on Temperature in Pediatric-aged 1 to 5-year olds with Hyperthermia: A Randomized Control Trial
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fever is a common condition among children. Pediatric patients with high fever may experience convulsions, which can be a dangerous complication. During a seizure, a child may lack oxygen due to inadequate breathing or airway obstruction, leading to fear and anxiety among parents. Therefore, using a cooling gel mattress in combination with standard treatment methods can help to more effectively reduce the child's body temperature, reduce the risk of dangerous complications, and reduce parents' anxiety.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of a cooling gel mattress in reducing body temperature among pediatric patients aged 1 to 5 years with high body temperature.
METHODS: This research utilized a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). The sample consisted of 38 children aged 1-5 years with a body temperature of 38°C or higher. The participants were divided into two groups comprising 19 children in the control group and 19 in the experimental group. Data collection took place between August 2023 and May 2024. The control group received standard care, including a tepid sponge and antipyretic medication, while the experimental group received the same standard care along with the use of a cooling gel mattress that was maintained at a temperature of 20-25°C. Body temperature was measured at 30, 45, and 60 minutes after the intervention. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and the independent t-test.
RESULTS: The mean reduction in body temperature in the experimental group was significantly greater than in the control group 30 minutes after a tepid sponge (0.9±0.4 vs. 0.3±0.3), 45 minutes (1.3±0.6 vs. 0.3±0.5), and 60 minutes after a tepid sponge (1.7±0.7 vs. 0.6±0.6) (p<0.001). No complications, such as shivering, hypothermia, or skin irritation, were observed in either group after treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: For children aged 1-5 years with a body temperature of 38°C or higher, the combination of a tepid sponge, antipyretic medication, and a cooling gel mattress is more effective in reducing body temperature compared to standard methods alone.
Thaiclinicaltrials.org number, TCTR20250210005
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Ratsamitad P. Febrile seizures in children [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2023 Aug 16]. Available from: https://www.synphaet.co.th/children-ramintra/ภาวะชักจากไข้สูงในเด็ก
Premprabhat S. Manual of nursing care for patients with status epilepticus [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2023 Aug 16]. Available from: https://www2.si.mahidol.ac.th/division/nursing/sins/attachments/article/211/sins_nursing_manual_2557_23.pdf
Siriboonpipattana P. Pediatric nursing volume 1: principles and concepts of pediatric and family nursing, nursing of newborns. 2nd ed. Nonthaburi: Praboromarajchanok Institute; 2013.
Caruso CC, Hadley BJ, Shukla R, Frame P, Khoury J. Cooling effects and comfort of four cooling blanket temperatures in humans with fever. Nurs Res 1992;41:68-72.
Creechan T, Vollman K, Kravutske ME. Cooling by convection vs cooling by conduction for treatment of fever in critically ill adults. Am J Crit Care 2001;10:52-9.
Henker R, Rogers S, Kramer DJ, Kelso L, Kerr M, Sereika S. Comparison of fever treatments in the critically ill: a pilot study. Am J Crit Care 2001;10:276-80.
Sanitlou N, Sartphet W, Naphaarrak Y. Sample size calculation using G*Power program. Journal of Suvarnabhumi Institute of Technology 2019;5(1):496-507.
Heidenreich T, Giuffre M, Doorley J. Temperature and temperature measurement after induced hypothermia. Nurs Res 1992;41:296-300.
Khattiya S, Saewang K, Jaorattanasakul W. Effectiveness of using temperature reducing jacket in craniotomy patient. Medical Journal of Srisaket Surin Buriram Hospitals 2021;36:427-36.
American Pharmacists Association. Drug information handbook with international trade names index. 26th ed. Hudson: Lexicomp; 2017.
Thanased W, Cheanjunyakul A, Thongbumpen U, Sanwaranggoon R, Kureungrutsamee J. The effects of using innovative cold pack blanket to reduce body temperature in brain & neurosurgery patients with hyperthermia. Journal of Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Bangkok 2015;31(1):70-81.
