Red onion compress

Suggested

2 studies · 1 recommendation

Last updated: January 30, 2026

Suggested2 studies

Red onion compresses reduce joint pain intensity in elderly gout patients

Two quasi-experimental studies involving 50 elderly gout patients in Indonesian care facilities demonstrated significant pain reduction with red onion (Allium cepa) compresses. In the first study (n=20), 80% of patients receiving onion compresses experienced only mild pain post-treatment compared to 70% with moderate pain at baseline, while the control group's severe pain increased from 60% to 70% (p<0.001 between groups). The second study (n=30) documented mean pain scores dropping from 5.07 to 3.47 on the Numeric Rating Scale (p=0.000). Both studies used non-randomized interventional designs with control groups. The topical application of red onion compresses appears to provide analgesic effects for gout-related joint pain, though evidence is limited to elderly nursing home populations in Indonesia.

Evidence

PENGARUH KOMPRES BAWANG MERAH TERHADAP INTENSITAS NYERI SENDI PADA LANSIA PENDERITA GOUT ARTHRITIS DI PANTI SOSIAL LANJUT USIA HARAPAN KITA DINAS SOSIAL PROVINSI SUMATERA SELATAN

Authors: Fadilla, RA, Puspita, Rieska Dwi

Published: March 8, 2025

A quasi-experimental study with pre-post test control design involving 30 elderly gout arthritis patients at Panti Sosial Lanjut Usia Harapan Kita in South Sumatra Province examined red onion compress effects on joint pain intensity. Using the Numeric Rating Scale, mean pain scores decreased from 5.07 before intervention to 3.47 after intervention. Statistical analysis using paired samples t-test showed p-value = 0.000 (< 0.05), indicating a statistically significant reduction in joint pain intensity following red onion compress application. Participants were selected through purposive sampling.

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Efektivitas Kompres Bawang Merah (Allium Cepa Var Aggregatum) Terhadap Tingkat Nyeri Sendi Pada Lansia Penderita Gout Di Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha Warga Tama Indralaya

Authors: Wijaya, FX Sandi Angga

Published: November 16, 2019

A quasi-experimental study with non-equivalent control group design examined 20 elderly gout patients at a nursing home in Indralaya, Indonesia. The intervention group received red onion compresses while the control group received standard care. Before intervention, 70% of the intervention group had moderate pain; after treatment, 80% experienced only mild pain. The control group showed no improvement, with severe pain increasing from 60% to 70%. Wilcoxon test demonstrated significant pain reduction in the intervention group (p=0.004), while the control group showed no significant change (p=0.317). Mann Whitney test confirmed significant difference between groups post-intervention (p<0.001), with the intervention group achieving lower mean pain scores than controls.

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