Effects of Acupuncture on the Outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Qu, F., Zhou, J., & Ren, R.-X. · The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine · 2012 May 17

DOI 10.1089/acm.2011.0158

Objective

To conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis of the trials of acupuncture during in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment on the outcomes of clinical pregnancy, biochemical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, implantation rate, live birth, and miscarriage.

Conclusions

This study did not find any significant benefits of acupuncture to improve the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment.

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Insights

The meta-analysis suggests that acupuncture does not provide significant benefits in improving the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatments.

The article conducted a systematic review with a meta-analysis of trials on acupuncture during in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. The pooled analysis of 17 trials showed that acupuncture did not significantly impact clinical pregnancy, biochemical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, implantation rate, live birth, or miscarriage outcomes. Therefore, the study concludes that there are no significant benefits of acupuncture in improving IVF or ICSI outcomes.