Influence of acupuncture stimulation on pregnancy rates for women undergoing embryo transfer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of acupuncture on clinical pregnancy rates for women undergoing ET.


METHODS
Single-blind, randomized controlled trial using a noninvasive sham acupuncture control.


METHODS
Repromed, The Reproductive Medicine Unit of The University of Adelaide.


METHODS
Women undergoing IVF.


METHODS
Women were randomly allocated to acupuncture or noninvasive sham acupuncture with the placebo needle. All women received three sessions, the first undertaken on day 9 of stimulating injections, the second before ET, and the third immediately after ET.


METHODS
The primary outcome was pregnancy. Secondary outcomes were implantation, ongoing pregnancy rate at 18 weeks, adverse events, and health status.


RESULTS
Two hundred twenty-eight subjects were randomized. The pregnancy rate was 31% in the acupuncture group and 23% in the control group. For those subjects receiving acupuncture, the odds of achieving a pregnancy were 1.5 higher than for the control group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The ongoing pregnancy rate at 18 weeks was higher in the treatment group (28% vs. 18%), but the difference was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant difference in the pregnancy rate between groups; however, a smaller treatment effect can not be excluded. Our results suggest that acupuncture was safe for women undergoing ET.
Smith
Caroline
C
School of Health Science, The University of South Australia, South Australia, Australia. caroline.smith@acnhw.com.au
Coyle
Meaghan
M
Norman
Robert J
RJ
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome