Abstract
BACKGROUND: Music therapy has been widely used in medical practices, demonstrating positive effects on diverse medical procedures. In the context of labor pain management, evidence suggests that music can positively influence pain perception and overall well-being during labor, serving as a distraction and stress reducer. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to comprehensively evaluate the impact of music therapy on labor pain in primigravida women during vaginal delivery. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, a thorough literature search was conducted in Google Scholar, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to November 2023. Nine randomized control trials (RCTs) met the inclusion criteria, involving primigravida women undergoing vaginal delivery with music therapy intervention. Quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool. RESULTS: A meta-analysis of the fixed effects was performed using mean differences (MD). Pooled analysis of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores revealed statistically significant reductions in pain intensity during latent (MD: - 0.73; 95% CI - 1.01; - 0.45); during the active phase (MD: - 0.56; 95% CI - 1.06; - 0.07) and the second stage (MD: - 0.69; 95% CI - 0.85; - 0.54). The findings indicated no statistically significant variances related to the integration of music therapy in addressing anxiety, both in the latent phase (MD: - 0.88; 95% CI - 1.86; -2.02) and the active phase of labor (MD: -0.30; 95% CI - 1.74; 1.13). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the collective evidence presented in this systematic review underscores the potential of music, especially for women giving for the first time. in mitigating labor pain and anxiety across different stages, offering a holistic approach to enhance the overall childbirth experience for women.