Medical Research Studies

Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study

Stefan Dieterle, M.D., Gao Ying, M.D., Wolfgang Hatzmann, M.D., and Andreas Neuer, M.D.

Objective: To determine the effect of luteal-phase acupuncture on the outcome of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

Design: Randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study.

Setting: University IVF center.

Patient(s): Two hundred twenty-five infertile patients undergoing IVF/ICSI.

Intervention(s): In group I, 116 patients received luteal-phase acupuncture according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. In group II, 109 patients received placebo acupuncture.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates.

Result(s): In group I, the clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate (33.6% and 28.4%, respectively) were significantly higher than in group II (15.6% and 13.8%).

Conclusion(s): Luteal-phase acupuncture has a positive effect on the outcome of IVF/ICSI. (Fertil Steril 2006; xx:xxx. ©2006 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)

Key Words: Acupuncture, assisted reproduction, pregnancy rate, IVF, ICSI

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