Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of luteal-phase acupuncture on the outcome of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).


METHODS
Randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study.


METHODS
University IVF center.


METHODS
Two hundred twenty-five infertile patients undergoing IVF/ICSI.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
Clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates.


RESULTS
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%).


CONCLUSIONS
Luteal-phase acupuncture has a positive effect on the outcome of IVF/ICSI.
Dieterle
Stefan
S
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Dortmund, Germany. Dieterle@IVF-Dortmund.de
Ying
Gao
G
Hatzmann
Wolfgang
W
Neuer
Andreas
A
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome