Acupuncture improves the success rates of IVF and ICSI cycles

A randomised controlled trial that evaluated the effect of acupuncture on reproductive outcome in 273 women undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

One group of patients received acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer, another group on embryo transfer day and again 2 days later (i.e. closer to implantation day), and both groups were compared with a control group that did not receive acupuncture.

Clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates were significantly higher in the first acupuncture group compared with controls (39% vs. 26% and 36% vs. 22%, respectively).

The clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates in the second acupuncture group (36% and 26%, respectively) were higher than in controls, but the difference did not reach statistical difference.

The researchers concluded that acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome of IVF/ICSI, compared with no acupuncture.

Reference

Westergaard, et al. (2006) Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: a prospective, randomized trial. Fertil Steril; 85: 1341-6.