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.