Acupuncture-related therapies might improve pregnancy rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilization, specifically when using warm acupuncture, acupuncture combined with moxibustion or acupuncture alone prior to egg collection.
The researchers took a systematic approach, exploring randomized controlled trials that evaluated the impact of different acupuncture-related therapies on the success of in vitro fertilization. This network meta-analysis involved scouring eight databases for suitable studies from its inception until mid January 2025. The collected information included data about these therapies added alongside traditional IVF treatments.
The studies provided substantial insight with a total of 96 trials involving 14,736 participants and 15 distinct interventions. The exploratory study assessed the impact of different therapies including warm acupuncture for three menstrual cycles before egg collection, acupuncture combined with moxibustion before egg collection, and similarly, acupuncture for one menstrual cycle before egg collection. Following the extensive literature review, the researchers noticed a particular tendency towards acupuncture-related success against the idea of false acupuncture or no treatment at all.
In terms of results, the researchers found that combining acupuncture with in vitro fertilization may enhance pregnancy rates. However, they found notable differences in different therapies effectiveness. Warm acupuncture, acupuncture paired with moxibustion, and acupuncture a month before egg collection all demonstrated potential superiority. On the other hand, a few acupuncture-related therapies that were administered in limited sessions either before or after the embryo transfer provided minimum clinical benefit, one of them being auricular acupressure.
