Use of the swiss ball for pain relief during labor: an integrative review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17765/2176-9206.2026v19e13435

Keywords:

Obstetric Nursing, Humanized Childbirth, Labor

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify, in the national and international literature, studies on the use of the Swiss ball for pain relief during labor. This was an integrative literature review, with data collection carried out in May 2024 in the SciELO, PubMed Central, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, focusing on studies published from 1996, the year in which the Good Practices in Labor and Birth were launched, to the present. The descriptors used were “Obstetric Nursing,” “Birth Ball,” “Labor,” and “Humanized Childbirth.” A total of 781 studies were identified, of which 12 were selected according to the established inclusion criteria, and the findings demonstrated that the Swiss ball is an instrument that should be widely disseminated, as it provides a significant contribution to the labor process by offering several advantages, including variability of positions and effective pain relief.

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Author Biographies

Lara Dantas de Rubim Costa, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

Nurse, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). Postgraduate Student in Emergency and Urgent Care at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. Member of the Research and Study Center on Emergency, Urgent Care, and Intensive Therapy (NEPET). Participated as a Scientific Initiation (PIBIC) scholarship holder in the project “Women’s and their families’ experiences during the pregnancy–puerperal cycle,” aiming to analyze the experience of women and their families in this process. Served as Communication Director of the Academic League on the Nursing Process (LAPE) in 2023 and 2024, focusing on introducing the nursing process to the academic community. Areas of interest: Emergency and Urgent Care, Cardiology, Intensive Care, Women’s Health.

Jovanka Bittencourt Leite de Carvalho, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

Holds a degree in Nursing and Obstetrics from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (1988), a Master’s in Nursing from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (2005), and a PhD in Health Sciences from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (2010). Served as an advisor at the Anísio Teixeira National Institute for Educational Studies and Research (INEP) for two triennia, remaining there until 2022. Full Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte – School of Health. Professor of basic, technical, and technological education at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte and in the Graduate Programs in Health and Society and in Nursing at UFRN. Has experience in the field of Nursing, with an emphasis on Women’s and Child Health, working mainly on the following topics: nursing, obstetric nursing, public health, humanization of care, and fatherhood.

Thais Rosental Gabriel Lopes, School of Health at UFRN

Graduated in Nursing (Bachelor’s degree, PUC-MG, 2004). Specialist in Obstetric Nursing (UNI-RN, 2024). Specialist in Hospital Nursing – emphasis in Clinical Oncology – UFMG (2006–2008). Master’s in Nursing, UFRN (2016–2017), CNPq-DS scholarship holder (2016–2017). PhD in Nursing, PPGENF/UFRN (2018), CAPES-DS scholarship holder (2018–2022). Tutor of the postgraduate course in Obstetric Nursing at the School of Public Health of Mato Grosso. Lecturer in the specialization course in Obstetric Nursing (UNI-RN) and in the specialization course in Neonatal Nursing at CFAZ (RN). Lecturer in the Mulheres Mil Program (Pronatec) in the elderly caregiver course. Experience in practical-assistance education at the UFRN School of Health (2021–2023), teaching the discipline “Women’s, Children’s, and Men’s Health” at Januário Cicco Maternity School (MECJ). Professional practice in maternal and child care through COOPERN (contracting institutions). Research in obstetric and neonatal nursing, mainly focusing on: Kangaroo Method, parents, humanization of nursing care, neonatal nursing, obstetric nursing, and women’s health at institutions affiliated with UFRN (Ana Bezerra Hospital – HUAB, and MECJ).

Lilian da Silva Fraga, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

Nurse, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). Participated as a Scientific Initiation (PIBIC) fellow in the project “Experiences of women and their families in the pregnancy-puerperal cycle”, aiming to understand the experiences, perceptions, and needs of women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, with a focus on promoting more humanized, safe, and culturally integrated care practices.

Francisca Marta de Lima Costa Souza, ): Department of Nursing UFRN

Ph.D. in Nursing in Health Care from the Graduate Program in Nursing, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (PPGEnf/UFRN, 2019). Master’s degree in Nursing from the Graduate Program in Nursing, UFRN (PPGEnf/UFRN, 2009). Postgraduate in Obstetric Nursing – Rede Cegonha/UFRN (2019); Postgraduate in Nursing Care Line in Maternal, Neonatal, and Infant Health – Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC, 2014); and in Family Health – UFRN (2008). Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Education – UFRN (2006). Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and Midwifery – UFRN (2005). Associate Professor at the Department of Nursing/UFRN. Member of the research groups “Maternal and Child Health Assessment Study Group (GEASMIN)/DENF/UFRN” and “Research Laboratory in Health and Nursing Care for People in Acute and Chronic Conditions (LAPAC)/UFRN.” Works in teaching, research, and community outreach at the Department of Nursing, focusing on undergraduate education with an emphasis on care for women during labor, childbirth, and the postpartum period, as well as neonatal care in the delivery room and rooming-in.

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Published

2026-04-02

How to Cite

Costa, L. D. de R., Carvalho, J. B. L. de, Lopes, T. R. G., Fraga, L. da S., & Souza, F. M. de L. C. (2026). Use of the swiss ball for pain relief during labor: an integrative review . Saúde E Pesquisa, 19, e13435. https://doi.org/10.17765/2176-9206.2026v19e13435

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Vol. 19 (2026)

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