Recent studies have increasingly explored the role of acupuncture as an adjunct therapy to improve fertility outcomes, particularly in the context of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET). A 2024 randomized controlled trial published in Frontiers in Endocrinology investigated the efficacy of electro-acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes for women undergoing IVF. The study, conducted at Sichuan Jinxin Xi’nan Women and Children Hospital, involved participants receiving acupuncture three times per week until the trigger day, with a minimum of five sessions. The primary outcome was the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), defined as an ultrasound-confirmed gestational sac. Preliminary findings suggest that acupuncture may enhance CPR by improving uterine receptivity and reducing stress, though the study was still in the recruitment phase as of mid-2024, with final results pending. This aligns with earlier findings, such as a 2020 RCT that demonstrated acupuncture 25 minutes before ET significantly increased biochemical, clinical, and ongoing pregnancy rates compared to controls, highlighting the potential of pre-transfer acupuncture to optimize IVF outcomes.
Another significant study, a 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis published in PMC, focused on acupuncture's effects on frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). This analysis pooled data from randomized controlled trials and found that acupuncture, when performed before and after FET, was associated with improved clinical pregnancy rates compared to sham acupuncture or no treatment. The study emphasized acupuncture’s role in enhancing endometrial thickness and reducing stress hormones, which may facilitate embryo implantation. Additionally, a 2023 article from solis.care highlighted that acupuncture’s ability to increase uterine blood flow and reduce anxiety complements conventional IVF treatments, creating a holistic approach that may improve success rates. While these studies show promise, they also note the need for larger, more rigorous trials to confirm findings and standardize acupuncture protocols for optimal timing and dosage.
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