<![CDATA[Acute respiratory infections frequently affect toddlers andare commonly accompanied by cough, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and discomfort. Common cold massage is a complementary intervention involving gentle, structured massage of the face, chest, and back. This literature review synthesized evidence on its effect on common cold symptoms and recovery duration in young children with acute respiratory infections. Google Scholar was searched using terms related to toddlers, acute respiratory infection, common coldmassage, and recovery time. Eligible studies were Indonesian-language, full-text quasi-experimental articles published from 2021 to 2026. Of 121 records identified, five studies published in 2024-2025 met the eligibility and quality criteria and included 175 participants. Three studies used one-group pretest-posttest designs, whereas two used comparison groups. All reported improvement in symptom severity and/or recovery duration. However, one comparison study found that common cold massage was not significantly more effective than eucalyptus-oil steam therapy (p = 0.66), while another reported shorter cough and cold recovery than conventional massage. Intervention protocols, instruments, and outcomes varied. Common cold massage may be considered an adjunct intervention for mild symptoms, but the evidence is limited by non-randomized designs, heterogeneous protocols, incomplete safety reporting, and the self-limiting nature of many upper respiratory infections.]]>
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