The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy and Music Therapy to Reduce Pain during Stage-1 of Birth Delivery: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Labor pain is an uncomfortable feeling during the labor process, which causes a reduction in uterine contractions, uteroplacental circulation, blood flow, and oxygen to the uterus, and causes uterine ischemia, which makes the pain impulses increase. Aromatherapy and music therapy are non-pharmacological pain management that can be given to postpartum mothers during labor that helps reduce pain. In addition, they can provide a calming sensation for the self and the brain and the stress they feel. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of aromatherapy and music therapy in reducing labor pain in the first stage of labor. Subjects and Method: This was a meta-ana­lysis and systematic study. The articles used were obtained from ProQuest, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Springer Link. The research subjects were mothers who gave birth in the first stage. The treatment provided was aromatherapy and music therapy. The articles used were articles presented in English, in full text with a Randomized Controlled Trial design. The research problems of PICO were as follows: Population= mothers giving birth, Inter­vention= giving aromatherapy and music therapy, Comparation= not being given aroma­therapy and music therapy, Outcome= reducing labor pain. The study analysis was carried out using RevMan 5.3 with Random Effect Model. Results: Analysis of 9 articles on the effectiveness of aromatherapy on reducing labor pain showed that aromatherapy reduced labor pain (SMD= -0.85; 95% CI -1.14 to -0.31), and it was statistically signi­ficant (p<0.001). Analysis of 9 articles on the effectiveness of music therapy on reducing labor pain showed that music therapy reduced labor pain (SMD= -1.14; 95% CI -2.18 to -0.09), and it was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Aromatherapy and music therapy effectively reduce labor pain in women giving birth in the first stage. Keywords: aromatherapy, music therapy, labor pain Correspondence: Uswatun Hasanah. Masters Program in Public Health. Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutarmi 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java. Email: uusuusuus0@gmail.com. Mobile: 085647582541. Journal of Maternal and Child Health (2021), 06(03): 295-306 https://doi.org/10.26911/thejmch.2021.06.03.04