A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Tuina Massage Technique on Toddlers for Reduce the Body Temperature in Selected Hospital, At Kanpur

Abstract

Background: Fever is a common symptom in toddlers and often leads to discomfort and concern among parents. While pharmacological interventions are widely used, non-pharmacological approaches such as Tuina massage—a traditional Chinese therapeutic technique—have shown promise in regulating body temperature in children. This study examines the effectiveness of Tuina massage in reducing body temperature among toddlers.

Aim: To assess the effectiveness of the Tuina massage technique in reducing body temperature among toddlers in selected hospitals of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Methods: A quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group pre-test post-test design was adopted. A total of 80 toddlers aged 1 to 3 years were selected using a non-probability purposive sampling technique, with 40 toddlers each assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received Tuina massage during episodes of elevated body temperature, while the control group received standard care. Body temperature was recorded before and after the intervention using a standardized digital thermometer. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (paired and unpaired t-tests, and chi-square test).

Results: The findings revealed a statistically significant reduction in body temperature in the experimental group following the administration of Tuina massage, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). A significant association was also observed between post-intervention body temperature and selected demographic variables such as gender and age of the toddler.

Conclusion: Tuina massage is an effective, low-cost, and safe non-pharmacological intervention for reducing body temperature in toddlers. It may be considered as a supportive technique in routine pediatric care for managing mild to moderate fever.