Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study

Fertil Steril. 2006 May;85(5):1347-51. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.09.062. Epub 2006 Apr 17.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of luteal-phase acupuncture on the outcome of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Design: Randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study.

Setting: University IVF center.

Patient(s): Two hundred twenty-five infertile patients undergoing IVF/ICSI.

Intervention(s): In group I, 116 patients received luteal-phase acupuncture according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. In group II, 109 patients received placebo acupuncture.

Main outcome measure(s): Clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates.

Result(s): In group I, the clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate (33.6% and 28.4%, respectively) were significantly higher than in group II (15.6% and 13.8%).

Conclusion(s): Luteal-phase acupuncture has a positive effect on the outcome of IVF/ICSI.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acupuncture Therapy / psychology*
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro / statistics & numerical data*
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / epidemiology*
  • Infertility, Female / therapy*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome / epidemiology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / statistics & numerical data*
  • Treatment Outcome