Devi, Ni Putu Wiryastuti Sri Pratami; Rahyani, Ni Komang Yuni; Darmapatni, Made Widhi Gunapria
Background: Labor is a physiological process that is commonly accompanied by pain, causing discomfort, anxiety, and fear that may interfere with maternal well-being and labor progress. Effleurage massage is a complementary, non-pharmacological intervention used to reduce labor pain. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of effleurage massage in reducing pain intensity during the first stage of labor. Method: A literature review was conducted using articles retrieved from Google Scholar. An initial search identified 45 articles, and after screening based on publication year (2021–2026), relevance, and inclusion criteria, 10 research articles were included for analysis. Data were extracted and synthesized descriptively. Results: The findings consistently showed that effleurage massage reduced labor pain by promoting relaxation, decreasing muscle tension, improving blood circulation, and stimulating endorphin release through the gate control mechanism. Most studies also reported improved maternal comfort during labor. Conclusion: In conclusion, effleurage massage is an effective, safe, affordable, and easy-to-apply complementary therapy that can be integrated into midwifery care to reduce labor pain and enhance maternal comfort.