Nonpharmacological pain management interventions in medical and surgical abortion: A scoping review.

Aims: The study aimed to present a broad overview of the research conducted and to synthesize evidence of the utility of nonpharmacological interventions for pain management in medical and surgical abortions. Background: High‐quality care for medical and surgical abortion requires pain to be managed effectively. However, women reported low satisfaction with pain management in abortion care. Design: A scoping review design was employed. Data sources No date limit was set. PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ProQuest and Scopus were searched in April 2021. Review methods: Arksey and O'Malley's framework was used. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐analysis extension‐Scoping Reviews was followed. Results: Fifteen studies were included. The results revealed that support interventions, music therapy, acupoint stimulation and hypnotic analgesia were nonpharmacological interventions used to decrease abortion pain. Conclusions: Clinical nurses, nurse managers and policymakers should attach full importance to the pain management in abortion and may use the study findings to guide the pain management practice. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Women reported maximum pain levels and low satisfaction with the current pain management of abortion.The quality of abortion care that women receive may impact their psychological well‐being.Nursing professionals lacked professional knowledge and awareness of pain management, which may impede the provision of high‐quality of abortion care. What this paper adds? Among the selected 15 studies, nonpharmacological pain management interventions included support interventions, music therapy, acupoint stimulation and hypnotic analgesia.Useful pain assessment tools, effective pain treatment and sufficient professional attendance are important components for relieving pain in abortion.Outcomes of pain, anxiety and satisfaction could be adopted for effectiveness evaluation. The implications of this paper Nursing professionals may use these findings to ensure better pain management in abortion care for women.Meta‐analysis is needed to clarify the respective effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions on pain, psychological outcomes, satisfaction and analgesic consumption.Relevant pain management training should be offered to nursing professionals in abortion care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]