Efficacy of Music Therapy as an Intervention in Decreasing Anxiety and Managing Discomfort during Labor and throughout Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: The psychosomatic symptoms of pain and anxiety during pregnancy and childbirth have been discussed in literature to influence both maternal and fetal health outcomes. The use of nonpharmacological interventions such as music therapy can help reduce these symptoms leading to improved pain management and patient satisfaction.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy as an intervention in decreasing psychosomatic symptoms of pain and anxiety felt throughout pregnancy and most importantly during labor. This understanding is pertinent in providing the knowledge needed to establish an effective nonpharmacological nursing intervention for labor pain management.

Method: An integrative literature review was conducted using databases of CINAHL, PubMed and PsycInfo. The following key words were used in the search: music therapy, labor, pregnancy, delivery, preterm, term, childbirth, anxiety, pain, fear, discomfort, quantitative, evidence-based and trial.

Results: The use of music therapy proved to be effective in decreasing both pain and anxiety during pregnancy and labor. Considerably lower pain levels, lower maternal hemodynamics and fetal heart rate as well as less requirements for postpartum analgesia were noted in patients who used music therapy throughout their labor.

Conclusion: Further research is necessary in determining the effectiveness of music therapy during all stages of pregnancy and during labor with adjunction of a pharmacological intervention such as the use of an epidural.