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

Dieterle, Stefan; Ying, Gao; Hatzmann, Wolfgang; Neuer, Andreas

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.09.062

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Volume 85, Issue 5 , Pages 1347-1351, May 2006

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

Stefan Dieterle, M.D.
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Dortmund, Germany
- Reprint requests: Stefan Dieterle, M.D., University of Witten/Herdecke, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Olpe 19, Dortmund D-44135, Germany (FAX: 49-231-55754598)
Gao Ying, M.D.
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Wolfgang Hatzmann, M.D.
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Dortmund, Germany
Andreas Neuer, M.D.
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Dortmund, Germany

Received 8 May 2005; received in revised form 13 September 2005; accepted 13 September 2005. published online 07 April 2006.

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%).