Conclusion: It is feasible to conduct a randomized,
blinded, sham control trial to study the impact of acupuncture on IVF
success rates. Such a protocol is well accepted by patients.
Preliminary data shows a statistically significant improvement in the
biochemical pregnancy rate with acupuncture treatment. Additionally,
acupuncture was associated with a strong trend towards higher clinical
pregnancy rates and take home baby rates, though more patients will
need to be studied to reach any final conclusions.
Udoff L. C. et al, Fertil Steril 2007 Vol 86, Issue 3, Page S145 Fertility and Sterility
OBJECTIVE: To develop a protocol that could be used in
future studies to evaluate whether acupuncture improves pregnancy and
delivery rates in patients undergoing IVF. DESIGN: Randomized, sham
treatment controlled pilot study.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients planning to undergo
IVF who meet inclusion/exclusion criteria (age 40 years old at start of
stimulation, highest basal FSH 10mIU/mL, 3 prior failed IVF attempts,
acupuncture naıeve) were randomly assigned to an acupuncture treatment
group or a sham treatment group.
Treatment sessions occurred before the start of gonadotropin
stimulation, the day before the oocyte retrieval, the day before the
embryo transfer and the day after the embryo transfer. Acupuncture was
performed using manual manipulation at 6 to 10 points depending on the
timing of the acupuncture treatment. Sham treated patients had needles
placed in non meridian points at a shallow depth. Patients were also
given a questionnaire regarding their impressions of acupuncture
treatment and were asked to guess their group assignment.
Data was analyzed using chi-squared for dichotomous outcome variables
(e.g. clinical pregnancy rate, number of take home babies) and t-tests
for continuous outcomes (e.g. age).
RESULTS: Twenty-two IVF cycles (19 patients) were
randomized with thirteen patients completing the study (14 cycles).
Five cycles were not completed due to poor response to ovarian
stimulation (4 in the sham group,one in the real group). Other reasons
for incomplete cycles (all in the sham group) included a persistent
ovarian cyst, no viable embryos for transfer and personal reasons. The
overall cycle cancellation rate was 32% compared to a 22% cycle
cancellation rate for non study patients of a similar age treated at
this center during a similar time period (p.05).
In the 13 patients analyzed, the mean age was 35 years old (SD4.03).
There was no statistical difference between true and sham acupuncture
groups with respect to age (Sham: Mean35, SD4.6, Real: Mean34, SD4.6).
Additionally, there was no significant difference between groups in
highest basal FSH, number of oocytes retrieved, or number of embryos
transferred. There was a significantly higher chemical pregnancy rate
(80% versus 11.0%) in patients receiving true acupuncture compared to
sham acupuncture (p.05). The clinical pregnancy rates and the take home
baby rates showed a strong trend towards a higher rate with acupuncture
treatment though the difference was not statistically significant (60%
real treatment vs. 11% sham treatment, p.05.).
Regarding the questionnaire, only one patient correctly guessed their
group assignment (real acupuncture). All patients rated their
experience as very positive or positive.
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