American Journal of Advances in Nursing Research

A QUASI EXPERIMENTAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HOT WATER FOOT BATH THERAPY IN REDUCING BODY TEMPERATURE AMONG ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH FEVER RESIDING IN SELECTED RURAL COMMUNITY AREAS, KRISHNAGIRI

Malathi Gunasekaran

malathiganapathi16@gmail.com

REDUCING BODY TEMPERATURE

Fever is a natural response of the body that helps in fighting off foreign substances such as microorganisms and toxins. Thermoregulatory centre in the hypothalamus regulates the body temperature. Once the temperature goes up the person often feels warm. The symptom of sweating and vasodilation resets the altered set point to normal level. Hot water foot bath therapy causes blood vessels to dilate and improve blood circulation, which releases heat in the form of sweat and supply of oxygen to brain cell which aids in the elimination of toxins. The immersion of the body or part of the body in a water bath stimulates circulation. Water being good thermal conductor, can influence temperature regulation mechanism of the body through circulation. The body’s normal temperature is around 98.6 degrees F (as measured in the mouth). During fever dilation of internal blood vessels and constriction of peripheral blood vessels occurs. It weakens the patient and makes him/her uncomfortable and anxious. Therefore fever as a symptom and its management is a concern to both healthcare professionals as well as patients. Providing comfort to patient is a basic and most important nursing intervention. Quantitative research approach design was considered. After getting permission from the concerned authority the researcher started data collection. 60 samples were selected by adopting Non probability purposive sampling technique experimental group 30 were using hot water foot bath therapy with routine care and control group 30 receiving routine care only. Pre test and post test was conducted in both groups. Hot water foot bath therapy was provided to experimental group for I week. It was proven that the hot water foot bath therapy is effective for reducing the body temperature in elderly people.