It is recommended that future research continue
to investigate the effect of music on labor pain. Researchers
should start testing music in the latent phase
or even before, and continue through the active phase.
The earlier start may decrease pain longer by providing
practice and a more relaxed state during early
labor. An interesting second outcome to measure
could be level of fatigue because calmness may be less
tiring than anxiety, crying, and moving in response to
pain. In future studies, music can be tested in combination
with other methods, such as a warm bath or
shower, relaxation, or lower doses of analgesics. Music
can be tested comparing multiparas and primiparas,
but it is recommended that researchers find an
appropriate pain measure because these groups might
differ in their estimate of “the worst pain imaginable.”
Future studies could test stimulating music in the second
stage of labor: music that encourages self-control,
active pushing, and decreases fear such as marches
and cheerful or triumphant music.