Impact of whole systems traditional Chinese medicine on in-vitro fertilization outcomes.
Patients undergoing IVF may receive either acupuncture or whole-systems traditional Chinese medicine (WS-TCM) as an adjuvant IVF treatment. WS-TCM is a complex intervention that can include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, dietary, lifestyle recommendations. In this retrospective cohort study, 1231 IVF patient records were reviewed to assess the effect of adjuvant WS-TCM on IVF outcomes compared among three groups: IVF with no additional treatment; IVF and elective acupuncture on day of embryo transfer; or IVF and elective WS-TCM. The primary outcome was live birth. Of 1069 non-donor cycles, WS-TCM was associated with greater odds of live birth compared with IVF alone (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36 to 3.21), or embryo transfer with acupuncture only (AOR 1.62; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.52). Of 162 donor cycles, WS-TCM was associated with increased live births compared with all groups (odds Ratio [OR] 3.72; 95% CI 1.05 to 13.24, unadjusted) or embryo transfer with acupuncture only (OR 4.09; 95% CI: 1.02 to 16.38, unadjusted). Overall, IVF with adjuvant WS-TCM was associated with greater odds of live birth in donor and non-donor cycles. These results should be taken cautiously as more rigorous research is needed.
Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, 75 NW Couch St, Portland, OR, 97210, USA; Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Portland Acupuncture Studio, Portland, OR, USA. Electronic address: lrubin@ocom.edu.
Lee E
LE
Hullender Rubin
Poma Fertility, Northwest Center for Reproductive Sciences, Kirkland, WA, USA.
Michael S
MS
Opsahl
Poma Fertility, Northwest Center for Reproductive Sciences, Kirkland, WA, USA.
Klaus E
KE
Wiemer
Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Scott D
SD
Mist
Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Aaron B
AB
Caughey
D026881:Acupuncture; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Chinese herbal medicine; acupuncture; embryo transfer; in-vitro fertilization; live births; traditional Chinese medicine