Trials | Participants | Intervention | Comparison | Main outcome | Study design | Risk of bias |
Burns et al. [8] | 513 women with a singleton pregnancy | The experimental group received aromatherapy. Modes of application included acupressure points, tapercompress, footbath, massage or birthing pool. | The control group received usual care. | Pain intensity (only aromatherapy group), assisted vaginal birth, caesarean section, use of pharmacological pain reliefspontaneous vaginal delivery, length of labouraugmentation, and perineal trauma. | RCTParallel | Y,Y,N,N,Y |
Calvert et al. [9] | 22 multiparous women with a singleton pregnancy. Women were recruited during the antenatal period | The experimental group received essential oil of ginger for the bath at least 1 hour. | The control group received essential oil of lemon grass for the bath at least 1 hour. | Pain intensity (only aromatherapy group)assisted vaginal birthcaesarean section, use of pharmacological pain reliefspontaneous vaginal delivery, length of first and second stage of labour, frequency of contractions, and cervical dilatation. | RCT, double-blind | Y,Y,Y,Y,Y |
Vakilian & Keramat [10] | 120 primiparous women planning a vaginal delivery | Essential oil of lavender with breathing technique via nebuliser during contractions in the active phase of labour | Breathing techniques without aromatherapy | Duration of the first phase and the second stage of labour. | RCT, single blinded | Y,Y,N,N,Y |
Zahra & Leila [11] | 60 primiparous women planning a normal delivery | Aromatherapy massage with Lavender oil | Receiving massage only | Pain, duration of the first phase and the second & third stages of labour. | RCT | Y,Y,N,N,Y |