Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Research Library

1. IVF & Embryo Transfer

• Observational cohort: ≥4 acupuncture sessions improve endometrial blood flow in IVF – Gan C et al., Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2023
  • Cohort study; ≥4 sessions during IVF cycle improved uterine perfusion.
  • Key Note: Highlights physiological benefits of repeated treatments.
• Acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation & FET cycles: Systematic review & meta‑analysis – Shen C et al., J Integr Complement Med 2024
  • SR‑MA; fresh IVF increased CPR, FET improved CPR/LBR with high-dose acupuncture.
  • Key Note: Timing and dose are critical variables.
• Effect of acupuncture dose on clinical pregnancy: Meta‑analysis – Smith CA et al., Reprod Biomed Online 2019
  • Meta-analysis; >3 sessions increased CPR by 50% (RR 1.50).
  • Key Note: Dose–response relationship demonstrated.
• Impact of whole-cycle acupuncture versus ET-only: Retrospective cohort – Hullender Rubin L et al., Reprod Biomed Online 2015
  • Retrospective (n = 1,069); LBR: 61.3% (≥9 sessions) vs 48.2% (no acupuncture).
  • Key Note: More frequent treatments correlated with higher LBR.
• Overview of systematic reviews on acupuncture and IVF outcomes – Zhang X et al., Medicine (Baltimore) 2021
  • Review of 20 SRs; makes cautious suggestions of CPR benefit, flagged heterogeneity.
  • Key Note: Variability in study quality and design.
• Low-dose acupuncture in IVF: No birth benefit but reduced anxiety – Zhou Y et al., EClinicalMedicine 2022
  • Meta-analysis of low-dose RCTs; no live birth difference but anxiety reduction noted.
  • Key Note: Highlights psychological benefit even when clinical outcomes unchanged.
• Short vs long acupuncture protocols for IVF outcomes: Chinese meta‑analysis – Xie Z et al., Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 2019
  • Analysis of Chinese RCTs; longer protocols yielded better implantation and LBR.
  • Key Note: Longer courses beneficial, especially in repeat IVF.
• Timing of acupuncture across IVF cycle: Meta‑analysis – Zheng CH et al., Fertility and Sterility 2012
  • Meta-analysis; whole-cycle treatments outperformed ET-only strategies.
  • Key Note: Whole-cycle support may be more effective.
• Pilot RCT: Acupuncture at embryo transfer in IVF – Paulus WE et al., Fertility and Sterility 2002
  • Early RCT indicating potential benefit, foundational to this research area.
  • Key Note: Sparked decades of IVF acupuncture investigations.
• Updated meta‑analysis: Acupuncture and IVF‑ET outcomes – Xu M et al., Arch Gynecol Obstet 2023
  • Meta-analysis (25 trials, 4,757 women); CPR 43.6% vs 33.2%, LBR 38.0% vs 28.7%.
  • Key Note: Supports cumulative session and multimodal acupuncture effects.
• Pregnancy Benefit of Acupuncture on IVF: SR‑MA – Zhang HR et al., Chin J Integr Med 2023
  • SR-MA of 58 RCTs (10,968 women); primary and subgroup outcomes examined.
  • Key Note: Broad evidence base, though diversity of study designs noted.
• Acupuncture on day of ET improves IVF‑ICSI outcomes: RCT – Westergaard LG et al., Fertil Steril 2006
  • Randomised trial; acupuncture on ET day improved pregnancy outcomes.
  • Key Note: Supports targeted ET day intervention.

2. General Fertility & Preconception (including Male Factor)

• Si Wu Tang enhances ovarian function in poor-reserve rat model – Zhou F et al., J Ethnopharmacol 2021
  • Animal study; improved folliculogenesis & angiogenesis.
  • Key Point: Offers mechanistic support for herbal intervention.
• Electroacupuncture improves uterine blood flow – Stener‑Victorin E et al., Human Reproduction 1996
  • Physiological lab study; decreased sympathetic activity, increased perfusion.
  • Key Point: Supports mechanistic rationale for embryo transfer protocols.
• Neuroendocrine effects of acupuncture: Review – Cochrane S et al., J Acupuncture Meridian Stud 2014
  • Review; covers HPA, GnRH, opioids, stress regulation.
  • Key Point: Explains hormone and stress modulation mechanisms.

Male infertility studies:

• TCM for male infertility: Review – Shao Hu Zhou et al., World J Mens Health 2019
• Acupuncture + TCM for oligozoospermia/astheno‑ WHO analysis – Bin Yang et al., Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 2020
• Transcutaneous EA improves semen parameters: RCT – Yan Yu et al., Acupuncture in Medicine 2019
• LLLT in male infertility: Narrative review – Moskvin SV & Apolikhin OI, Biomedicine 2018
• Acupuncture vs varicocelectomy: RCT – Kucuk EV et al., Andrologia 2016
• Acupuncture meta‑analysis for semen quality – Ui Min Jerng et al., Asian J Androl 2014

Key Note: While early results are promising, evidence remains preliminary pending protocol standards.

3. PCOS

• Survey: Acupuncture practice patterns in PCOS – Graca S et al., Eur J Integr Med 2022
  • Cross-sectional survey; whole-cycle + EA favored.
  • Key Point: Practice heterogeneity noted, research needed.
• Overview of non-pharmacological PCOS interventions – Pundir J et al., Hum Reprod Update 2020
  • Review; includes acupuncture and herbal approaches.
  • Key Point: Highlights wide-ranging non-drug strategies.
• Efficacy of acupuncture in PCOS: Meta‑analysis – Wu JL et al., Medicine (Baltimore) 2020
  • SR‑MA; acupuncture improved ovulation and menstrual regularity.
  • Key Point: Suggests acupuncture as adjunct fertility support.
• Bu‑Shen‑Tian‑Jing formula enhances IVF outcomes in PCOS – Xiaoming P et al., Int Med Res 2020
  • Retrospective cohort; formula increased IVF success metrics.
  • Key Point: Support for pattern-based herbal protocols.
• EA enhances glucose uptake via ANS activation – Benrick A et al., FASEB J 2017
  • Lab study; EA increased systemic glucose uptake.
  • Key Point: Suggests metabolic benefits of acupuncture in PCOS.

4. Endometriosis & Adenomyosis

• Herbal therapy post-endometriosis surgery improves CPR – Zhao RH et al., Chin J Integr Med 2020
  • RCT; postoperative herbal sequential therapy improved CPR.
  • Key Point: Indicates fertility benefit post-surgery.
• Acupuncture for primary dysmenorrhea: RCT – Woo HLK et al., Medicine 2020
  • RCT; acupuncture reduced dysmenorrhea intensity.
  • Key Point: Symptomatic relief in menstrual pain.
• Acupuncture for endometriosis pain: SR‑MA – Xu Y et al., PLoS ONE 2017
  • SR‑MA; significant pain reduction in acupuncture group.
  • Key Point: Supports acupuncture for symptom management.
• Herbal medicine for ovarian endometriosis: SR‑MA – Lee EW et al., Eur J Integr Med 2021
  • SR‑MA; supports herbal interventions for endometriosis.
  • Key Point: Suggests evidence for non-pharmacological therapy.

5. Stress, Emotional Wellbeing & Hormonal Regulation

• Acupuncture vs sham in IVF: RCT, anxiety outcome – Smith CA et al., JAMA 2018
  • RCT, n=848; no LBR difference, anxiety reduced in both groups.
  • Key Point: Anxiety reduction noted; low dose limited clinical effect.
• Acupuncture vs SSRIs in depression: SR‑MA – Armour M et al., J Clin Med 2019
  • SR‑MA; acupuncture comparable to SSRIs for depressive symptoms.
  • Key Point: May support emotional regulation in fertility care.
• Acupuncture improves QoL and reduces anxiety during IVF – Smith CA et al., Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2019
  • RCT; acupuncture improved anxiety and quality-of-life outcomes.
• Auricular acupuncture vs CBT for anxiety and insomnia – Bergdahl L et al., Eur J Integr Med 2019
  • RCT; acupuncture assessed alongside CBT for emotional symptoms.
• Multiple acupuncture sessions lower stress pre-ET – Sutton C et al., Fertil Steril 2019 (Supplement)
  • Comparative study; multiple sessions linked to lower pre-transfer stress.
• Acupuncture + SSRI for depression: RCT – Zhao B et al., J Psych Res 2019
  • RCT; manual or electro-acupuncture added to SSRI therapy.
• Stress biomarkers and IVF outcomes correlation – Yuan An et al., J Assist Reprod Genet 2018
  • Observational; psychological and neurohormonal stress linked to IVF outcomes.