Acupoint application therapy notably reduces peri-menstrual pain and improves In-vitro fertilization results in patients with ovarian endometriosis by normalizing ovarian cell steroid metabolism.
This research trial arranged 81 patients under in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) into a three-part study, consisting of a treatment group with women having ovarian endometriosis who received acupoint application therapy (AAT) paired with a hormone protocol, a placebo group also comprised of ovarian endometriosis patients who followed the same protocol but were given sham patches, and a control group of patients suffering from male-factor infertility who were having a standard protocol without additional interventions. Assessment of follicular fluid metabolomics or chemical fingerprints in the follicular fluid and evaluation of IVF parameters were carried out.
The key outcome unveiled was the therapeutic benefits of the acupoint application therapy (AAT). There were substantial differences between the groups. The treatment group showed a lesser duration and dosage of hormone treatment compared to the placebo group, and it closely resembled the control group. Furthermore, the treatment group produced a greater number of oocytes and fertilized oocytes compared to the placebo group, although lower than the control group. However, the number of transferable embryos and high-quality embryos were higher in the treatment group and comparable to the control group, surpassing the placebo group. The treatment effectively lowered the peri-menstrual abdominal pain scores in OE patients. Overall, the AAT intervention restored order in the dysregulated steroidogenic profile, substantiating the therapy's beneficial outcomes.
