The Impact of Acupuncture on the Success Rates of IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) Treatments

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Infertility
• Interventions: Procedure: acupuncture

• Registration Number: NCT02683967
• Lead Sponsor: Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Brief Summary

The trial aims to investigate whether acupuncture has an effect in increasing clinical pregnancy (pregnancy that is confirmed by a scan) and live birth rates on women undergoing IVF treatment.

Detailed Description

Failing to conceive naturally poses significant stress to the infertile couple. It creates a feeling of failure and frustration. It has been found that the use of complementary therapies makes women feel empowered, with a sense of regaining control of the body.

The popularity of acupuncture is increasing. A significant proportion of couples having fertility treatment, especially IVF (In-Vitro Fertilisation) ask their clinician about using acupuncture and some patients undergo acupuncture privately without reporting to their clinicians.

The effectiveness of acupuncture on IVF has been extensively researched; however the results are varied and not conclusive. This is due to previous studies varying significantly in their study design, acupuncture timing and the final outcome measure. As a result of the difference in the studies it is not clear whether acupuncture is beneficial regarding IVF success rates and whether it should be offered to women undergoing IVF.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2013-11
• Primary Completion: 2016-01
• Study Completion: 2016-01
• Study First Submitted: 2016-01-11
• Status Verified: 2016-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2016-02-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-02-12
• Study First Posted: 2016-02-17
• Last Update Posted: 2016-02-17

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 184

Inclusion Criteria

• Women under the age of 43 years with a BMI of less than 30 undergoing 1st or no more than their 2nd failed fresh IVF or ICSI cycle.

Exclusion Criteria

• Those women undergoing frozen embryo replacement cycle or receiving donor eggs, BMI > 30 or currently having acupuncture/ any other form of CAM, having contraindication to acupuncture like those with HIV, Hep C will be excluded.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: FACTORIAL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Acupuncture	acupuncture	These patients received acupuncture during the follicular development phase and on the day of egg collection.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Live birth rate	18 months	The primary objective is to determine the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture in improving live birth rates in women undergoing IVF

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Multiple pregnancy	9 months	To determine whether there is an increased rate of multiple pregnancy
Clinical pregnancy rate	18 months	The secondary objective is to determine whether acupuncture improves clinical pregnancy rate
Quality of life	9 months	To examine the effect of acupuncture on improving the quality of life for women by means of EQ% quality of life questionnaires