Global Research Landscape on Nonpharmacological Methods for Labor Pain Management: Insights From a Bibliometric Analysis.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis to explore the significance of nonpharmacological methods in managing labor pain.

Methods: A bibliometric design was adopted, analyzing 246 eligible articles published between 1997 and 2025 from the Scopus database. The Bibliometrix R package and VOSviewer software were used to analyze and visualize annual output, country productivity, institutional contributions, collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrence, thematic mapping, and thematic evolution.

Results: Research has expanded steadily since 2008, peaking in 2024. Iran emerged as the most productive country, followed by Brazil, the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. The most frequent keywords were "labor pain," "labor," "pain," "anxiety," and "childbirth." Acupressure, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, and massage remain the most central techniques. Thematic map and thematic evolution analyses showed that complementary pain management constitutes a central motor theme, while recent research has shifted toward anxiety, knowledge, and integrative care.

Discussion: The analysis reveals a clear thematic evolution. Early research (2000-2010) focused on physiological pain control mechanisms like "acupuncture" and "massage," whereas psychosocial concepts such as "anxiety management" and "knowledge" have become prominent in the post-2018 period.

Conclusion: The research focus has distinctly evolved from examining the purely physiological effects of methods such as "massage" or "acupuncture" toward a holistic bio-psychosocial model that incorporates elements like "anxiety management" and "patient empowerment."