The Power of Acupuncture: A Systematic Review Reveals Positive Impact on IVF Outcomes
Posted by Kassidy Finch
A systematic review and meta-analysis presented in the “Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics” has opened up new possibilities for those undergoing IVF.
The conclusive evidence suggests that acupuncture is a valuable asset in enhancing the chances of a successful pregnancy and live birth during IVF treatment.
The recent systematic review and meta-analysis, published in July 2023 in the reputable Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, has shed light on the effectiveness of acupuncture in improving IVF outcomes.
The Study:
This research aims to evaluate the impact of acupuncture on IVF outcomes, particularly focusing on the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR). The study is based on an extensive search of digital databases, including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science, and ScienceDirect, ensuring a comprehensive examination of the available evidence.
A total of twenty-five trials, encompassing 4757 participants, were included in this systematic review. The research analyzed the data to draw insightful conclusions.
Key Findings
Improved Clinical Pregnancy Rate (CPR):
The analysis revealed that the pooled CPR in all acupuncture groups was significantly higher (43.6%) than that of the control groups (33.2%). This finding suggests that acupuncture has a positive impact on the likelihood of achieving a clinical pregnancy during IVF.
Key Findings:
Enhanced Live Birth Rate (LBR): Furthermore, the systematic review found that the pooled LBR in acupuncture groups (38.0%) was significantly higher than in the control groups (28.7%). This indicates that acupuncture can significantly increase the chances of a live birth following IVF.
Additionally, the study explored various factors that might influence the effectiveness of acupuncture in IVF, including different acupuncture methods (manual acupuncture, electrical acupuncture, and transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation), the timing of acupuncture (before or during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and around embryo transfer), and the number of acupuncture sessions (at least four sessions and less than four sessions). The findings indicate that all these variables can have a positive impact on IVF outcomes, underlining the versatility of acupuncture as a complementary therapy.
Conclusion:
In light of these findings, it is important for healthcare providers and patients to consider acupuncture as a part of the IVF process. Its potential to improve clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates provides a ray of hope for people striving to expand their families through assisted reproductive techniques.
IVF Acupuncture
We are in collaboration with Alberta Reproductive Fertility Centre, to offer on-site acupuncture treatments specifically for individuals on their IVF journey, right on the day of embryo transfer.
Contact us for a free 15-minute session for further details about how you can optimize your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
