Use of Aromatherapy to Reduce Anxiety and Pain During Labor
A PRISMA Scoping Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22370/syc.2.1.2026.5547.Keywords:
Aromatherapy, labor, anxiety, painAbstract
Aromatherapy is a complementary intervention that uses plant-derived essential oils to promote physical and emotional well-being. Its application, mainly by inhalation or topical use, has been reported as a potential strategy to relieve symptoms such as pain and anxiety.
Objective: To explore, describe, and synthesize the available evidence on the use of aromatherapy to reduce pain and anxiety during labor.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR 2020 guidelines. The search included studies published between 2020 and 2025 in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect, ClinicalKey, and Wiley Online Library. The terms “aromatherapy,” “labor,” “pain,” and “anxiety” were used. Six studies were included in the final analysis.
Results: Included studies report that essential oils—mainly lavender—are associated with reduced perception of pain and anxiety during labor, as well as improvements in women’s experiences. However, methodological heterogeneity was observed.
Conclusions: Current evidence suggests a potential benefit of aromatherapy as a complementary intervention in obstetric care. However, further research with more robust designs and standardized protocols is needed to clarify its clinical applicability.
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