Acupuncture does not affect IVF success rate
Grace O'Regan, Progress Educational Trust
21 May 2018

[BioNews, London]

Acupuncture during IVF treatment does not increase the chances of having a baby, according to new research. 

A study published this week in JAMA and led by Professor Caroline Smith from Western Sydney University, Australia, compared the birth rate in women who received traditional acupuncture during their course of IVF to those who received a sham acupuncture treatment. 

A very small difference (0.5 percent) in the live birth rate was observed, but the authors showed that it was not statistically significant, saying: 'The findings do not support the use of acupuncture to improve the rate of live births among women undergoing IVF.'

The randomised clinical trial followed over 800 women from 17 fertility centres across Australia and New Zealand as they had IVF treatment. The women were split into two groups, those receiving traditional Chinese acupuncture, and those receiving a sham treatment, where a non-invasive needle was placed on the skin away from known acupuncture points. 

They received one session of acupuncture during the period of follicle stimulation, prior to egg collection, and two sessions on the day of the embryo transfer: before and after the transfer took place. 

The study found a small difference in the number of live births between the groups, with 74 of 405 (18.5 percent) women receiving acupuncture going on to have a baby compared to 72 of 404 (17.8 percent) women receiving the sham treatment. However, this difference is not statistically significant, meaning that it is within the normal variation expected due to chance.

While this study suggests it is unlikely that acupuncture improves IVF birth rates, the authors suggest there may still be some psychological benefits. 

Professor Michael Chapman from the University of New South Wales, Australia, who co-authored the paper said: 'Feeling relaxed and reporting relief from stress and women feeling good about themselves is to be welcomed for women as they undergo an IVF cycle.'


SOURCES & REFERENCES

Acupuncture doesn't improve likelihood of IVF success, study finds
The Guardian |  15 May 2018
Acupuncture during IVF doesn’t increase chances of having a baby
The Conversation |  15 May 2018
Effect of Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture on Live Births Among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization A Randomized Clinical Trial
JAMA |  15 May 2018
Having acupuncture to increase IVF chances might be waste of time, study suggests
ABC News |  16 May 2018





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