An Update on the Effect of Massage and Inhalation Aromatherapy with Lavender on Labor Pain Relief: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Aims Labor is a painful process. Managing and controlling labor pain is an essential aspect of midwifery services and is the main goal of childbirth care. One of the methods used in traditional medicine to relieve labor pain is aromatherapy. This systematic review and metaanalysis study was an update conducted with the aim of critically evaluating and summarizing all available evidence obtained from randomized clinical trials on the effect of aromatherapy with lavender on labor pain relief. Information and Methods In this systematic review, searching a number of foreign databases, including MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Scopus, from the start date of these databases to December 2017 was independently conducted by two researchers, using symbols, i.e. Lavender* OR Lavandula* OR silexan AND labor OR labour OR birth OR childbirth. Comprehensive Metaanalysis (CMA) software version 2 was used for statistical analysis. Findings Based on the search strategy, 244 primary studies were found. Finally, 5 studies including 541 participants were examined in this systematic review. Three studies were subjected to meta-analysis. In general, the quality of clinical trials was moderate and combinatory. Aromatherapy with lavender reduced labor pain in the active phase. The mean difference of labor pain in the aromatherapy groups with lavender and control groups was 1.05 (0.552-1.548; p=0.000036). Conclusion Using aromatherapy with lavender among pregnant women reduces the labor pain. The availability of information obtained from this study can be useful for gynecologists, midwives, and nurses working in labor and delivery units. 

Keywords:

Aromatherapy , Lavender , Labor , Pain Management