Does Reflexology Reduce Labor Pain? A Systematic Review.

Objective: In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of foot reflexology in reducing labor pain intensity. Material-Method: The study was done in the second half of 2019. PubMed (MEDLINE), CINAHL (EBSCO), Scopus, Science Citation Index, Science Direct, ULAKBIM (Turkish National Databases) databases were searched using terms and keywords including 'labor pain' 'vaginal delivery' 'normal delivery' 'pregnancy and delivery' 'reflexology' 'foot massage' 'pain and reflexology' in three languages. 3292 articles (English, Turkish and Persian languages) reached by using keywords and scanning electronic databases (between 2009 and 2019). Nine descriptive cross-sectional studies were evaluated that involving provide only quantitative results and descriptive designs quantitative elements of mixed (qualitative and quantitative) method studies. Results: Out of the 3292 articles found in the databases, only 9 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Studies have shown that foot reflexology during labor reduces the severity of labor pain. Conclusion: Performing foot reflexology can be an effective and low-cost method of pain relief, reducing both pain and the duration of labor. It is recommended that further studies with sufficient statistical power be conducted in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]