Effect of Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture on Live Births Among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Acupuncture is widely used by women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF),although the evidence for efficacy is conflicting. To determine the efficacy of acupuncture compared with a sham acupuncture control performed during IVF on live births Methods: A single-blind, parallel-group randomized clinical trial including 940 women undergoing a fresh IVF cycle was conducted at 15 IVF centers between June 2013, and June 2017, with 10 months of pregnancy follow-up. Women received either acupuncture (n = 470) or a sham acupuncture control (n = 470). The first treatment was administered between days 6 to 8 of follicle stimulation, and 2 treatments were administered prior to and following embryo transfer. The sham control used a noninvasive needle placed away from the true acupuncture points. The primary outcome was live birth, defined as the delivery of 1 or more living infants at greater than 20 weeks gestation or birth weight of at least 400 g. Results: Among 940 randomized women, 40 withdrew consent, 900 were included in the study (mean [SD] age, 33.8 [4.9] years); 342 had undergone more than 2 previous IVF cycles), 638 proceeded to an embryo transfer, and 816 (98.2%) had data available on live birth outcomes. Live births occurred among 99 of 410 women (19.8%) receiving acupuncture compared with 78of 407 women (18.1%) receiving sham control (risk difference, 0.5% [95% CI, -4.6% to 5.9%]; relative risk, 1.06 [95% CI, 0.77 to 1.35]).Conclusions: Among women undergoing IVF, administration of acupuncture vs sham acupuncture at the time of ovarian stimulation and embryo transfer resulted in no significant difference in live birth rates. These findings do not support the use of acupuncture to improve the rate of live births among women undergoing IVF

Keywords:

Acupuncture , Vitro Fertilization , Live Births , women