Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy

Conclusion: Acupuncture seems to be a useful tool for improving pregnancy rate after ART. Clinical pregnancies were documented in 34
of 80 patients (42.5%) in the acupuncture group, whereas pregnancy rate
was only 26.3% (21 out of 80 patients) in the control group.

Paulus W et al, Fertil Steril 2002 Vol 77, pg 721-724  Fertility and Sterility

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on
the pregnancy rate in assisted reproduction therapy (ART) by comparing
a group of patients receiving acupuncture treatment shortly before and
after embryo transfer with a control group receiving no acupuncture.

DESIGN: Prospective randomized study.

SETTING: Fertility center.

PATIENT(S): After giving informed consent, 160
patients who were undergoing ART and who had good quality embryos were
divided into the following two groups through random selection: embryo
transfer with acupuncture (n = 80) and embryo transfer without
acupuncture (n = 80).

INTERVENTION(S): Acupuncture was performed in 80
patients 25 minutes before and after embryo transfer. In the control
group, embryos were transferred without any supportive therapy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical pregnancy was defined as the presence of a fetal sac during an ultrasound examination 6 weeks after embryo transfer.

RESULT(S): Clinical pregnancies were documented in 34
of 80 patients (42.5%) in the acupuncture group, whereas pregnancy rate
was only 26.3% (21 out of 80 patients) in the control group.