Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of luteal-phase acupuncture on the outcome of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). DESIGN Randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study. SETTING University IVF center. PATIENT(S) Two hundred twenty-five infertile patients undergoing IVF/ICSI. INTERVENTION(S) In group I, 116 patients received luteal-phase acupuncture according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. In group II, 109 patients received placebo acupuncture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates. RESULT(S) In group I, the clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate (33.6% and 28.4%, respectively) were significantly higher than in group II (15.6% and 13.8%). CONCLUSION(S) Luteal-phase acupuncture has a positive effect on the outcome of IVF/ICSI.