Therapeutic effect of acupuncture on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Qian, Y., Xia, X.-R., Ochin, H., Huang, C., Gao, C., Gao, L., Cui, Y.-G., Liu, J.-Y., & Meng, Y. · Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics · 2016 December 19

DOI 10.1007/s00404-016-4255-y

Objective

To systematically review published studies of the effects of acupuncture on IVF outcomes.

Conclusions

This review shows that acupuncture improves the clinical pregnancy rate among women undergoing IVF. Optimal effect can be achieved with electroacupuncture, especially in Asian area.

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Insights

Acupuncture improves the clinical pregnancy rate among women undergoing IVF and the IVF outcome results were significantly superior in the acupuncture group when acupuncture was conducted during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

When the studies were restricted to Asian or non-Asian area patients, compared with traditional acupuncture and other methods, electrical acupuncture yielded better IVF outcomes. Optimal positive effects could be expected using acupuncture in IVF during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, especially in Asian area. However, as a limitation of this review, most of the included studies did not mention the number of embryos transferred.