Research Summary on Effectiveness of Non-Drug Coping Techniques

There have been several literature reviews of available research on the available non-pharmacological techniques for coping with labor pain. Each of these reviews acknowledges the limitations of the research that they compile: primarily the studies are small sample sizes, and are not properly randomized control trials. (Women are typically allowed to choose which coping techniques to use with their labor.) So, all conclusions come with the caveat that “more research is needed.”

This chart summarizes those reviews. (Note: the birth ball results are based on a single study rather than a review.) Pain coping techniques are compared to “usual care.”

The chart compares the following factors that might be desired outcomes coping measures: less pain intensity, less likelihood that the laboring mother will turn to pain medications (unless that was her goal), higher satisfaction with pain relief, shorter labor, higher chance of spontaneous vaginal delivery (vs. instrumental delivery or cesarean), and less use of Pitocin to augment a slow labor.

Source	Less pain?	Less pain meds?	More satisfaction	Shorter labor	Spontan. vaginal	Less pitocin
Acupressure	yes *
Acupuncture		yes				yes
Acupuncture	yes	yes *	yes *		yes *
Aromatherapy	NSD
Aromatherapy	NSD	NSD		NSD	NSD
Birth Ball	yes *			NSD
Continuous Support		yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Epidural & Pain Meds	yes	N/A	yes	no	no	no
Hypnosis	yes *	NSD	NSD	yes *	NSD
Hypnosis		yes	yes		yes	yes
Immersion in Water		yes			NSD
Massage	yes
Music / audio	NSD	NSD			NSD
Positions & Movement		yes		yes	yes
Relaxation	yes		yes		yes
Sterile Water Inj.	yes				NSD
Sterile Water Inj.	yes				yes
TENS	yes *				NSD
Yoga	yes		yes	yes

* means limited data; NSD means there may have been a difference, but it wasn’t statistically significant

(Note: In a 2014 review by Chaillet, et al, these techniques were pooled into 3 categories, which helped to increase the statistical significance of the findings. Learn more. Also check out more articles about coping with labor pain.)