Effect of warm compresses combined with lavender aromatherapy on body temperature among children with febrile seizures

Erwina Dwi Kristanti (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kudus)
Edy Soesanto (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kudus)
Heny Siswanti (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kudus)

JOURNAL OF Mother and Child Health Concerns
Vol. 5 No. 4 (2026): July Edition 2026

Background: Febrile seizures are among the most common neurological emergencies in children and are closely associated with a rapid increase in body temperature. Prompt fever management is essential to reduce the risk of recurrent seizures and other complications. In addition to pharmacological treatment, complementary non-pharmacological interventions such as warm compresses and lavender aromatherapy have been suggested to enhance fever management. However, evidence regarding the combined effectiveness of these interventions remains limited. Purpose: To determine the effect of warm compresses combined with lavender aromatherapy on body temperature among children with febrile seizures treated in the emergency department. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design. A total of 32 children with febrile seizures were recruited using purposive sampling and allocated into an intervention group (n=16) and a control group (n=16). The intervention group received warm compresses combined with lavender aromatherapy, while the control group received routine care. Body temperature was measured before and after the intervention using a digital thermometer. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests to evaluate within-group differences and independent t-tests to compare outcomes between groups, with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The mean body temperature in the intervention group decreased significantly from 39.1 ± 0.62°C before the intervention to 37.1 ± 0.62°C after the intervention (p<0.001), representing a mean reduction of 2.0°C. In contrast, the control group showed a non-significant decrease from 38.8 ± 0.45°C to 38.6 ± 0.45°C (p=0.051). Comparison between groups demonstrated a statistically significant difference in body temperature reduction (p<0.001). Conclusion: Warm compresses combined with lavender aromatherapy were effective in reducing body temperature among children with febrile seizures. This intervention may be considered a complementary nursing strategy for fever management in pediatric emergency settings to support conventional treatment.