NCT07177027

The Effects of Breathing Exercises and Music Intervention During Labor on Pain Perception, Birth Expectations, and Birth Satisfaction in Primiparous Women

Recruiting now NA Last updated 16 September 2025

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Music intervention in Music Intervention in 90 participants. Currently enrolling.

Timeline

3 December 2024

Primary endpoint
22 September 2025

22 September 2025

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	Uşak University
Phase	NA
Status	Recruiting now
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	randomized
Design	parallel
Masking	single
Primary purpose	supportive care
Enrollment	90
Start date	3 December 2024
Primary completion	22 September 2025
Estimated completion	22 September 2025
Sites	1 location across Turkey (Türkiye)

Drugs / interventions tested

• Music intervention — full drug profile →
• Breathing Exercise

Conditions studied

• Music Intervention — all drugs for Music Intervention →
• Breathing Exercises — all drugs for Breathing Exercises →

Sponsor

Uşak University

Who can join

Adults 18 to 35, female only, with Music Intervention or Breathing Exercises. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of music listening and breathing exercises during labor on pain perception, birth expectations, and birth satisfaction among primiparous women. This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the delivery unit of a hospital located in the Inner Aegean Region of Turkey. The study included 90 primiparous pregnant women admitted for vaginal delivery. Participants without visual, auditory, or neurological impairments were included and randomly assigned into three groups: music intervention group, breathing exercise group, and control group (n=30 in each group).

Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups (Music Intervention, Breathing Exercise, Control) using a computer-generated randomization sequence. Allocation concealment was ensured by using sealed, opaque envelopes prepared by a researcher who was not involved in participant recruitment or assessment.

In the music intervention group, participants were introduced to 12 music tracks at 36 weeks of gestation during childbirth preparation classes. Short samples of these tracks were played during the class, and the full tracks were then shared with participants via WhatsApp to encourage regular listening at home.

During the prenatal period, participants received regular WhatsApp reminders every few days to listen to the music.

During labor, participants were encouraged to listen to music whenever they wished. Additionally, at 4 cm, 6 cm, and 8 cm cervical dilation, all participants in this group listened to their preferred tracks from the playlist for 20 minutes. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after each music session.

In the breathing exercise group, Lamaze breathing techniques were taught during prenatal classes and practiced throughout the labor process. They were encouraged to practice these exercises throughout labor. At 4, 6, and 8 cm cervical dilation, guided breathing exercises were conducted, and pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after each exercise.

In the control group, participants received routine maternity care. VAS pain assessments were conducted at the same cervical dilation points (4, 6, and 8 cm), without any additional interventions.

For all participants, the durations of the first, second, and third stages of labor were recorded and compared across groups. In the postpartum period, the Birth Expectation Scale and Birth Satisfaction Scale were administered.

Study data included sociodemographic information, VAS pain scores, and scores from the birth expectation and satisfaction scales.

Publications & conference data

No peer-reviewed publications indexed yet for this trial.