The Effect of Music on Labor Pain and Duration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Context

The use of music in obstetrics increases every day, and it is extensively used in the control of labor pain.

Objective

This study was conducted to determine the effect of music on labor pain and duration.

Design and Setting

This systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out between October 15 and November 15, 2022. The search was done in the PubMed and ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, Ovid, EBSCO CINAHL Plus, and Cochrane Library databases.

Outcomes meassures

According to the inclusion criteria, 12 studies included in the systematic review and meta-analysis were determined. The data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed with the RoB 2 tool.

Results

Twelve articles were included in this study. According to the study results, listening to music was revealed to be statistically significantly effective in reducing pain intensity in terms of relieving labor pain (SMD:-0.98, Z=8.33, P < .001). Listening to music in the active phase was found to further decrease pain intensity compared to the latent phase (latent phase: SMD:-0.56 and active phase: SMD:-1.26), but it did not affect labor duration (MD:-0.76, Z=1.72, P = .09).

Conclusion

Listening to music was determined to be effective in reducing pain intensity. The music genre selected by the researchers was found to further reduce pain intensity during labor compared to pregnant women's own choices, and it was elucidated that listening to music with headphones was effective in pain control but listening to music did not affect labor duration.

PROSPERO Registration no

CRD42022367480.

The effect of Pilates on pain during pregnancy and labor: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted to reveal the effect of Pilates on pain during pregnancy and labor.

METHODS

The PubMed, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, Ovid, EBSCO, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library databases, and Google Scholar databases were used to access the articles published in international journals, and the Dergipark, Turkish Clinics, and ULAKBİM databases were scanned to access the articles published in national journals between October 30 and November 30, 2022. The data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4.

RESULTS

This study included four articles. According to the meta-analysis results, it was elucidated that Pilates exercise during pregnancy was not statistically effective in reducing pain during pregnancy (Z=0.61, p=0.54), but it was effective in reducing pain intensity during labor (Z=11.20, p<0.00001).

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that Pilates exercise was not effective in reducing pain during pregnancy but was effective in reducing labor pain. There is a need for more research on the subject.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NO

CRD42023387512.

The effect of massage on the bilirubin level in term infants receiving phototherapy

BACKGROUND

Massage has positive physiological effects on infants. Infant massage increases the excretion of waste products such as bilirubin from the body by accelerating the flow of the blood, lymph, and tissue fluids.

PURPOSE

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of infant massage on hyperbilirubinemia in newborns receiving phototherapy.

METHODS

The study population consisted of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a public hospital in Istanbul between October 2021 and January 2022 with a need for phototherapy. Sixty-one newborns who met the study criteria were randomized and divided into two as the experimental (n=30) and control (n=31) groups. All infants were followed up for 3 days, and phototherapy was applied twice a day. In addition to phototherapy, infant massage was applied to the experimental group for 10 min just before the phototherapy. The bilirubin level was measured 2 h after the end of phototherapy for both groups. Moreover, diapers were changed 8 times a day, every 3 h, in both groups.

RESULTS

The groups were homogeneous in terms of descriptive data, and no significant difference was observed between the groups (p>0.05). When bilirubin levels were compared, there was a significant decrease in bilirubin levels in the experimental group starting from the third day (p =.000). The frequency of defecation on the second and third days increased significantly in the experimental group (p =.000).

CONCLUSION

Infant massage can increase the frequency of defecation and help decrease bilirubin levels in newborns diagnosed with hyperbilirubinemia.

The effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises applied during pregnancy on genito-pelvic pain level in postpartum period

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The goal of the study is to determine the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises on genito-pelvic pain levels during the postpartum period.

METHODS

The data of the study, which was carried out in a randomized controlled experimental design, were collected in the antenatal policlinic of a public hospital from June-December 2019. There were 60 pregnant women in the experimental and control groups. Pelvic floor muscle exercises were applied to the pregnant women in the experimental group from the 30th week of gestation to the 6th week postpartum. The control group was not given pelvic floor muscle exercise training, and only data collection forms were filled in. During the study, the Descriptive Form, Verbal Category Scale, Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20, and Labour and Postpartum Information Form were given to the pregnant women in both groups.

RESULTS

After pregnant women in the experimental group performed pelvic floor muscle exercises, pain levels were significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.01). Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 total score and sub-dimension scores of the experimental group were statistically significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.01). In addition, a statistically significant difference was found (p < 0.01) in the postpartum 72 h findings of the experimental group in which pelvic floor muscle exercises were applied compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the result of the study, as the gestational weeks progress, the genito-pelvic pain increases. Pelvic floor muscle exercises applied during pregnancy prevent the development and progression of pelvic floor disorders in both the antenatal and postnatal periods.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT05343520.

Sexual myths during pregnancy: a comparative study

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of sexual myths during pregnancy among pregnant women in Turkey and Iran and to compare the similarities and differences between the countries. This is a comparative and descriptive study. The sample included 200 pregnant women from Turkey and Iran. The data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form and Sexual Myths During Pregnancy Form. It was determined that the women in Turkey agreed more with statements, such as 'the infant feels sexual intercourse', 'the infant becomes happy and healthy', 'sexual intercourse during pregnancy is safe'. As for pregnant women in Iran, it was determined that they were more hesitant to agree with statements, such as 'sexual intercourse is a sin' and 'sexual intercourse causes infections'. In both countries, education on sexuality during pregnancy is needed to eliminate information deficiencies.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Sexual myths during pregnancy are exaggerated beliefs with no scientific accuracy. These beliefs affect the attitudes and behaviours related to sexuality during pregnancy.What do the results of this study add? This study has revealed that sexual myths during pregnancy are common among pregnant women in Turkey and Iran, and there are similarities and differences between the countries in terms of myths.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Healthcare professionals should question pregnant women about sexuality during pregnancy, identify missing and incorrect information, and provide counselling.

Intimate partner violence during pregnancy in turkey: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The objective of the present research was to identify the prevalence of and risk factors for intimate partner violence during pregnancy (IPVP) in Turkey by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.

DESIGN AND METHODS

In the current research, 22 primary studies published between January 2005 and January 2019 were investigated.

FINDINGS

Low educational and income levels of both the woman and her partner, unintended marriage and pregnancy, living in a crowded family, a high number of children and a history of violence, unemployment of the partner, and the consumption of alcohol are the most significant risk factors of IPVP.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

This study shows that violence against women, which is a serious problem in Turkey as well as all over the world, also continues in a critical period, such as the pregnancy period.