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A systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture in in vitro fertilisation
Article first published online: 24 JUL 2008
DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01838.x
© 2008 Authors Journal compilation © RCOG 2008 BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Issue
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Volume 115, Issue 10, pages 1203–1213, September 2008
Additional Information
How to Cite
El-Toukhy, T., Sunkara, S., Khairy, M., Dyer, R., Khalaf, Y. and Coomarasamy, A. (2008), A systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture in in vitro fertilisation. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 115: 1203–1213. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01838.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 11 AUG 2008
- Article first published online: 24 JUL 2008
- Accepted 5 June 2008. Published OnlineEarly 23 July 2008.
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Acupuncture;
- IVF;
- oocyte retrieval;
- embryo transfer;
- clinical pregnancy;
- randomised trials
Background Numerous randomised studies have reported pregnancy outcome in women who received acupuncture during their in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment cycle.
Objective The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis of the trials of acupuncture during IVF treatment on the outcomes of clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.
Search strategy Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ISI Proceedings and SCISEARCH.
Selection criteria All randomised controlled trials that evaluated the effects of acupuncture compared with no treatment or sham acupuncture in women undergoing IVF–intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment were included.
Data collection and analysis Study selection, quality appraisal and data extraction were performed independently and in duplicate. A sensitivity analysis was conducted where the meta-analysis was restricted to trials in which sham acupuncture was used in the control group. Meta-regression analysis was used to explore the association between study characteristics and pregnancy rates.
Main results Thirteen relevant trials, including a total of 2500 women randomised to either acupuncture or control group, were identified. No evidence of publication bias was found (Begg’s test, P = 0.50). Five trials (n = 877) evaluated IVF outcome when acupuncture was performed around the time of transvaginal oocyte retrieval, while eight trials (n = 1623) reported IVF outcome when acupuncture was performed around the time of embryo transfer (ET). Meta-analysis of the five studies of acupuncture around the time of egg collection did not show a significant difference in clinical pregnancy (relative risks [RR] = 1.06, 95% CI 0.82–1.37, P = 0.65). Meta-analysis of the eight studies of acupuncture around the time of ET showed no difference in the clinical pregnancy rate (RR = 1.23, 95% CI 0.96–1.58, P = 0.1). Live birth data were available from five of the eight studies of acupuncture around the time of ET. Meta-analysis of these studies did not show a significant increase in live birth rate with acupuncture (RR = 1.34, 95% CI 0.85–2.11). Using meta-regression, no significant association between any of the studied covariates and clinical pregnancy rate was found (P > 0.05 for all covariates).
Conclusion Currently available literature does not provide sufficient evidence that adjuvant acupuncture improves IVF clinical pregnancy rate.