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Updated: May 31, 2026
14:56
An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)
Published on: January 27, 2010
Aromatherapy for pain management in labour.
Caroline A Smith1, Carmel T Collins, Caroline A Crowther
1Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, New South Wales, Australia, 2751.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 8, 2011
Summary
Aromatherapy does not appear to significantly impact pain intensity or delivery outcomes during labor. More research is needed to determine its effectiveness for labor pain management.
Area of Science:
- Complementary Medicine
- Obstetrics
- Pain Management
Background:
- Many women seek non-pharmacological pain relief during labor.
- Aromatherapy is a popular complementary method for managing labor pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of aromatherapy on maternal and perinatal morbidity during labor.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing aromatherapy with placebo or no treatment.
- Searched multiple databases including Cochrane, MEDLINE, and CINAHL up to October 2010.
- Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data.
Main Results:
- Two trials involving 535 women were included.
- No significant differences were found in pain intensity, assisted vaginal birth, or cesarean section rates.
- No significant differences were observed in the use of pharmacological pain relief or labor augmentation.
Conclusions:
- Limited studies currently exist on aromatherapy for labor pain management.
- Further research is required to establish evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice.
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