Different effectiveness of acupuncture treatment schedule on ART pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Yang Y, Chen H, Tang H, Kuang H, Gou Y, Zhao H · Frontiers in Endocrinology · 2025 September 05

DOI 10.3389/fendo.2025.1602710

Objective

To investigate the effects of different acupuncture treatment schedules on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions

Acupuncture significantly improved clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, fertilization rate, and high-quality embryo rate, with longer treatment durations and higher session numbers yielding superior outcomes.

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Insights

Acupuncture, when tailored in timing, duration, and frequency, significantly improves pregnancy and birth rates in Assisted Reproductive Technology.

The methodology undertaken for this study involved a systematic review and network meta-analysis of previously published randomized controlled trials. Studies that were included had assessed the impact of acupuncture on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) outcomes. The primary outcomes of focus within these studies were the rates of clinical pregnancy and live births. Secondary outcomes of interest included fertilization rate and the rate of high-quality embryos produced. In terms of results, acupuncture showed significant benefit, improving clinical pregnancy rates, live birth rates, fertilization rates, and the rate of high-quality embryos. It was noted that acupuncture was most effective when given during the embryo culture period, followed by during the ovarian stimulation and ART preparation periods. Furthermore, treatment lasting three months or more and more than 20 sessions were found to lead to superior results. These findings emphasize the potential advantage of personalizing acupuncture treatment protocols to maximize success rates in ART.