Transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulation improves pregnancy outcomes in patients with recurrent implantation failure undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer: a prospective, randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2017-011483
Article Information
Volume: 37 issue: 1, page(s): 33-39
Article first published online: March 13, 2019; Issue published: February 1, 2019
Zhenhong Shuai1, Xuemei Li1, Xuelian Tang1, Fang Lian2, Zhengao Sun2
1Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Shenzhen City Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
2The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Shenzhen, China
Corresponding Author:
Zhenhong Shuai, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Shenzhen, China. Email: 562599739@qq.com
Abstract
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupuncture stimulation (TEAS) on pregnancy outcomes in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Methods:
A total of 122 women with RIF undergoing fresh embryo transfer cycle IVF were randomly allocated to a TEAS or mock TEAS (MTEAS) group. Gonadotrophin therapy using a long protocol was provided in both groups. TEAS consisted of 30 min of stimulation (9–25 mA, 2 Hz) at SP6, CV3, CV4 and Zigong from day 5 of the ovarian stimulation cycle once every other day until the day of embryo transfer. The patients in the control group received MTEAS. Implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were compared.
Results:
In the TEAS group, the implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate (24.3%, 32.8% and 27.9%, respectively) were significantly higher than in the MTEAS group (12.1%, 16.4% and 13.1%, respectively).
Conclusions:
TEAS significantly improves the clinical outcomes of subsequent IVF cycles among women who have experienced RIF.