Non-Pharmacological Interventions to Relieve Labor Pain: A Literature Review

비약물적 분만통증 중재법에 대한 고찰

Purpose: The aim of this study is to suggest a direction for the development of effective methods for relieving labor pain, by analyzing non-pharmacological interventions through a literature review. Methods: Collection of literature data in this study has been accomplished through theses, reports, and academic data searched on databases of the Research Information Sharing Services (Riss), PubMed, ProQuest, and the National Discovery for Science Leaders (NDSL). Results: Non-pharmacological interventions analyzed as effective in relieving labor pain, in literature published both within and outside of Korea, included: pre-delivery education, Yoga, Doula delivery care, Massage, Music therapy, Aromatherapy, Hypnosis, TENS, Sterilized water injection, and Acupuncture. Conclusion: Several different interventions have been attempted for the relief of labor pain. Since even the same intervention shows different results depending on the research method utilized, critical factors must be acknowledged that compromise the effectiveness of these methods. In addition, study of potential synergy effects of interventions that combine these various methods might also prove to be significant.