SynthesisArchives of gynecology and obstetrics2025
Efficacy of birthing ball exercises to reduce labor pain and cesarean rates: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Synthesis in Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Abstract
purposeThis updated systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of a birthing ball (BB) exercises on low-risk parturients during labor, offering a more comprehensive understanding through a larger sample size, robust analysis, and focus on relevant endpoints that were underexplored in previous studies due to limited data.
methodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Central for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing BB (also named Swiss ball) exercises with no intervention or standard care in parturients undergoing low-risk labor. Risk ratios (RR) and mean differences (MD) were calculated using a random-effects model. I
resultsWe included 10 RCTs with 1,008 parturients, 51.2% of whom were assigned to BB exercises. In the pooled analysis, the BB group showed significantly lower cesarean section rates (MD 0.55, p = 0.007, I
conclusionsBB exercises significantly reduced cesarean section rates, alleviated labor pain, and shortened the first stage of labor, supporting their use as a safe and effective non-pharmacological intervention in low-risk labor management.
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