The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy in the Management of Labor Pain and Anxiety: A Systematic Review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Aromatherapy as an alternative and complementary medicine is a well-known method for reducing the symptoms of various physiological processes such as labor experience. The aim of this study was to systematically review the currently available evidences evaluating the use of aromatherapy for management of labor pain and anxiety.METHODS: In a systematic review, 5 databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Scientific Information Database [SID]) were searched, from database inception up to December 2019. Keywords used included (aromatherapy OR "“essential oil” OR "aroma*") AND (pain OR anxiety) AND (labor OR delivery). Using the Cochrane Collaboration's 'Risk of bias' method; the risk of bias in the included studies was evaluated.RESULTS: A total of 33 studies were verified to meet our inclusion criteria. Most of the included studies were conducted in Iran. Aromatherapy was applied using inhalation, massage, footbath, birthing pool, acupressure, and compress. The most popularly used essential oil in the studies was lavender (13 studies), either as a single essential oil or in a combination with other essential oils. Most of included studies confirmed the positive effect of aromatherapy in reducing labor pain and anxiety.CONCLUSION: The evidences from this study suggest that aromatherapy, as a complementary and alternative modality, can help in relieving maternal anxiety and pain during labor.

Efficacy and safety of non‐pharmacological interventions for labour pain management: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta‐analysis

“…However, most of these RCTs chose usual care as the control, and only a few compared different non‐pharmacological interventions using head‐to‐head design (Borup et al, 2009; Dehcheshmeh & Rafiei, 2015; Gönenç & Terzioğlu, 2020; Huang et al, 2008; Taghinejad et al, 2010). Additionally, a relatively large number of meta‐analysis have only combined original studies with the same pair of non‐pharmacological methods for labour pain management to evaluate their positive effects (Liao et al, 2020; Raana & Fan, 2020; Rong et al, 2020; Tabatabaeichehr & Mortazavi, 2020). Hence, it remains unclear which type of non‐pharmacological interventions is the most effective for labour pain management.…”

The Effectiveness of Neroli Essential Oil in Relieving Anxiety and Perceived Pain in Women during Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Despite these limitations, the findings obtained in the current study point to the fact that available non-pharmacological remedies such as aromatherapy are effective in relieving pain and anxiety in women during the most difficult phase of pregnancy, that is, labor and childbirth [ 48 ]. They also represent a viable alternative to a strict medicalization of labor [ 49 ], providing midwifes and Ob/Gyns with natural methods that can be easily used [ 10 ]. The relevance of our results also consists in the fact that when pain and anxiety are less severe, labor progresses more easily and with less difficulties.…”

“…Non-pharmacological methods such as relaxation techniques, massage, acupuncture, and aromatherapy are considered nowadays a promising area in midwifery thanks to their ease of use, low cost, and effectiveness [ 1 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Among them, aromatherapy represents one of the most used non-pharmacological methods for women in labor.…”

Efektifitas Aromaterapi Dan Pendamping Persalinan Terhadap Nyeri Persalinan

“…Dalam ilmu kebidanan saat ini, pendekatan non-farmakologis seperti teknik relaksasi, akupunktur, akupresur, terapi pijat, aromaterapi merupakan metode yang sering digunakan dalam persalinan karena terbukti efektif, efisien, penggunaannya mudah dan berisiko rendah. 4 Aromaterapi efektif dalam mengurangi nyeri dan durasi persalinan, dan umumnya aman bagi ibu. 5 Ahli aromaterapi menggunakan minyak esensial untuk merangsang dan menyeimbangkan kadar hormon, serta mengurangi stres.…”