Effect of Warm Water Foot Immersion Therapy on Physiological Parameters Regulation among Febrile Children: An Evidence-Based Nursing Intervention

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of warm water foot immersion therapy on selected physiological parameters among interventional group and identify the association and differences of demographic characteristics and clinical data with post-trial physiological parameters.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the  emergency department of Karbala Teaching Hospital for Children, Karbala, Iraq, from25th May 2025 to 30th September 2025. a purposive sampling involving 120 child aged between 2-7 years old allocated to either the intervention group (n=60), received warm water foot immersion therapy for 15 minutes, or the control group (n=60), received only standard treatment in the hospital. Physiological parameters were assessed before and after intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, employing descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U test for group comparisons.

Results: Post-intervention analysis revealed a significant reduction in body temperature (p=0.001) and significant improvement in heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation level (p=0.001) in the intervention group compared to controls. Progressive improvements in all selected physiological parameters were observed across the one hours of evaluation.

Conclusion: Warm water foot  immersion (WWFI) therapy  demonstrated significant beneficial effect on the body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation level among febrile children.

Recommendations: Healthcare providers, particularly nurses should receive training on how to effectively use non- pharmacological methods like WWFI to regulate physiological parameters of febrile children Additionally the researchers recommended to educate Parents that this intervention is safe, easy, and can be applied at home.