Differential effects therapy of Javanese-traditional (Karawitan instrumental) music and classical music in the first stage and second stage of childbirth

<p><strong><em>Background: </em></strong><em>Labor pain may induce maternal anxiety, interfere with uterine contractions, and prolong the birthing process. Music therapy is a non-pharmacological intervention known to mitigate both labor pain and anxiety.</em><strong><em> </em></strong><strong><em></em></strong></p><p><strong><em>Objective</em></strong><em>: This study aimed to compare the effects of Javanese-traditional (Karawitan instrumental) and classical music therapies on anxiety, labor pain, and the duration of the first and second stages of labor.</em><strong><em></em></strong></p><p><strong><em>M</em></strong><strong><em>ethods:</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong><em>A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 201 mothers undergoing normal labor at primary healthcare centers. Participants were assigned into three groups: Javanese-traditional music (Karawitan instrumental), classical music, and a control group practicing deep breathing. Interventions lasted 40 minutes. Anxiety was measured using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, pain intensity with a visual analog scale, and labor duration through partograph analysis. Statistical tests included paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank, Kruskal</em><em>-</em><em>Wallis, one-way ANOVA, and Mann</em><em>-</em><em>Whitney U tests</em><em></em></p><p><strong><em>Results:</em></strong><em> Both music interventions significantly reduced anxiety and pain within groups (p</em><em>-value</em><em>< 0.001). No significant difference in pain reduction was found between the two music groups during the first active phase (p</em><em>-value</em><em>= 0.108). Similarly, anxiety scores did not differ significantly between the music groups post-intervention (p</em><em>-value</em><em>= 0.956), though classical music showed a slightly greater reduction. Regarding labor duration, Javanese-traditional music was associated with a shorter first stage, while classical music significantly reduced the duration of the second stage (p</em><em>-value</em><em>= 0.000 and p</em><em>-value</em><em>= 0.035, respectively).<strong></strong></em></p><strong><em>Conclusions: </em></strong><em>Javanese-traditional (Karawitan instrumental) and classical music therapies are both effective in reducing maternal anxiety and labor pain while supporting labor progress. Javanese-traditional (Karawitan instrumental) music demonstrated greater effectiveness during the first stage, whereas classical music offered benefits in anxiety reduction and second-stage labor duration</em>