Auricular acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility.

Following a complete gynecologic--endocrinologic workup, 45 infertile women suffering from oligoamenorrhea (n = 27) or luteal insufficiency (n = 18) were treated with auricular acupuncture. Results were compared to those of 45 women who received hormone treatment. Both groups were matched for age, duration of infertility, body mass index, previous pregnancies, menstrual cycle and tubal patency. Women treated with acupuncture had 22 pregnancies, 11 after acupuncture, four spontaneously, and seven after appropriate medication. Women treated with hormones had 20 pregnancies, five spontaneously, and 15 in response to therapy. Four women of each group had abortions. Endometriosis (normal menstrual cycles) was seen in 35% (38%) of the women of each group who failed to respond to therapy with pregnancy. Only 4% of the women who responded to acupuncture or hormone treatment with a pregnancy had endometriosis, and 7% had normal cycles. In addition, women who continued to be infertile after hormone therapy had higher body mass indices and testosterone values than the therapy responders from this group. Women who became pregnant after acupuncture suffered more often from menstrual abnormalities and luteal insufficiency with lower estrogen, thyrotropin (TSH) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentrations than the women who achieved pregnancy after hormone treatment. Although the pregnancy rate was similar for both groups, eumenorrheic women treated with acupuncture had adnexitis, endometriosis, out-of-phase endometria and reduced postcoital tests more often than those receiving hormones. Twelve of the 27 women (44%) with menstrual irregularities remained infertile after therapy with acupuncture compared to 15 of the 27 (56%) controls treated with hormones, even though hormone disorders were more pronounced in the acupuncture group. Side-effects were observed only during hormone treatment. Various disorders of the autonomic nervous system normalized during acupuncture. Based on our data, auricular acupuncture seems to offer a valuable alternative therapy for female infertility due to hormone disorders.     

Acupuncture relieves pelvic and low-back pain in late pregnancy

BACKGROUND: The study was designed to evaluate the analgesic effect and possible adverse effects of acupuncture for pelvic and low-back pain during the last trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: Following individual informed consent, 72 pregnant women reporting pelvic or low-back pain were randomized during pregnancy weeks 24-37 to an acupuncture group (n = 37) or to a control group (n = 35) at three maternity wards in southern Sweden. Traditional acupuncture points and local tender points (TP) were chosen according to individual pain patterns and stimulated once or twice a week until delivery or complete recovery in acupuncture patients. Control patients were given no sham stimulation. Throughout the study period each patient made weekly visual analog scale (VAS) evaluations of maximal and minimal pain intensity as well as three-point assessments of pain intensity during various activities. RESULTS: During the study period, VAS scorings of pain intensity decreased over time in 60% of patients in the acupuncture group and in 14% of those in the control group (p < 0.01). At the end of the study period, 43% of the acupuncture patients were less bothered than initially by pain during activity compared with 9% of control patients (p < 0.01). No serious adverse effects of acupuncture were found in the patients, and there were no adverse effects at all in the infants. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture relieves low-back and pelvic pain without serious adverse effects in late pregnancy.     

A matched controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for improving pregnancy rates following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer

PURPOSE: To determine if acupuncture performed during the follicular phase and luteal phase but not on the day of embryo transfer could improve the outcome following IVF-ET compared to controls. METHODS: Acupuncture was started biweekly from day 5 of the follicular phase through the luteal phase but not on the day of the transfer. Controls were matched according to age, same number of previous failed IVF cycles and same type of embryo transfer (fresh or frozen). RESULTS: The clinical and ongoing (delivered pregnancy rates per transfer) for 32 women undergoing IVF-ET and acupuncture was 40.6% and 37.5%, respectively vs 53.1% and 43.7% for controls. The median number of previous failed IVF cycles was three. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture performed twice weekly during the follicular and luteal phase does not seem to improve pregnancy rates following IVF-ET.     

A prospective randomized study comparing acupuncture with physiotherapy for low-back and pelvic pain in pregnancy

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the effects of acupuncture in the treatment of low-back and pelvic pain during pregnancy and compare it with physiotherapy. METHODS: Sixty pregnant women were allotted to acupuncture or physiotherapy. The women estimated the severity of their pain using a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 10 and disability in performing twelve common daily activities using a disability-rating index (DRI) from 0 to 10. RESULTS: In the acupuncture group all 30 women completed the study (two exclusions), in the physiotherapy group only 18. Before treatment the two study groups were rather similar with respect to pain and disability. After treatment the mean morning VAS had declined from 3.4 to 0.9 (p<0.01) in the acupuncture group and from 3.7 to 2.3 (NS) in the physiotherapy group. The corresponding evening values had declined from 7.4 to 1.7 (p<0.01) and 6.6 to 4.5 (p<0.01), respectively. The mean VAS values were lower after acupuncture than after physiotherapy both in the morning (p=0.02) and in the evening (p<0.01). After treatment also the mean DRI values had decreased significantly in the acupuncture group for 11 of 12 activities and the values were significantly lower for all activities than in the physiotherapy group where no significant changes had taken place. Overall satisfaction was good in both groups. There were no serious adverse events in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture relieved pain and diminished disability in low-back pain during pregnancy better than physiotherapy.     

Acupuncture performed around the time of embryo transfer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of acupuncture as an adjunct to embryo transfer compared with controls to improve reproductive outcomes. The primary outcome was clinical pregnancy. Twenty trials and 5130 women were included in the review. The meta-analysis found increased pregnancies (risk ratio [RR] 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–1.62, 12 trials, 2230 women), live births (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.00–1.68, 9 trials, 1980 women) and reduced miscarriage (RR 1.43, 95% CI 1.03–1.98, 10 trials, 2042 women) when acupuncture was compared with no adjunctive control. There was significant heterogeneity, but no significant differences between acupuncture and sham controls. Acupuncture may have a significant effect on clinical pregnancy rates, independent of comparator group, when used in women who have had multiple previous IVF cycles, or where there was a low baseline pregnancy rate. The findings suggest acupuncture may be effective when compared with no adjunctive treatment with increased clinical pregnancies, but is not an efficacious treatment when compared with sham controls, although non-specific effects may be active in both acupuncture and sham controls. Future research examining the effects of acupuncture for women with poorer IVF outcomes is warranted.     

针灸联合宫内人工授精(IUI)治疗多囊卵巢综合征所致不孕——65例疗效观察

目的:观察针灸与药物促排卵配合宫腔内人工授精(IUI)治疗多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)所致不孕的临床疗效。方法:125例PCOS患者随机分为2组:治疗组65例,在药物促排卵基础上于IUI术前、后加针灸治疗;对照组60例,在IUI术前单以药物促排卵治疗。结果:治疗组的周期排卵率为83.9%,妊娠率为36.9%,黄素化未破裂卵泡(LUF)发生率为4.1%,周期取消率为6.3%;对照组周期排卵率为69.9%,妊娠率为20%,LUF发生率为23.1%,周期取消率为21.4%,组间比较均有显著差异(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论:针灸配合IUI治疗PCOS可有效提高临床妊娠率,降低了LUF及卵巢过度刺激综合征(OHSS)等并发症的发生率。     

A randomized pilot study of acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea

Objective

To compare the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy in primary dysmenorrhea patients.

Study design

Thirty-five young women with a diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea were recruited for the study. Their dysmenorrhea severity was rated by visual analog scale (VAS) immediately prior to entry into the study. They were randomly divided into two groups; and the following month they were given NSAID (group 1, n = 24) or acupuncture treatment (group 2, n = 11). Pain was rated again using VAS during menstruation in both groups.

Results

After one month's treatment, pain scores were significantly lower in both groups (p < 0.05). Mean pain scores decreased by 52.2% and 69.5% in the NSAID and acupuncture groups, respectively.

Conclusion

Acupuncture was as effective as NSAID therapy for patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Since this was a pilot study with a small sample size and short follow-up period, larger studies are needed to clarify the effect of acupuncture in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.     

Electroacupuncture and acupuncture in the treatment of anxiety - A double blinded randomized parallel clinical trial

BackgroundThe estimated number of people living with anxiety disorders worldwide is around 264 million and is estimated to have worsened with the recent pandemic of COVID-19. Acupuncture has shown to have excellent therapeutic effects in reducing anxiety.DesignDouble-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial with 56 participants (21–82 years) with anxiety diagnosed by 3 different anxiety scales (BAI, GAD-7 and OASIS). A 30-min acupuncture session was applied once a week for 10 weeks.AimsEvaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture and electroacupuncture in the treatment of anxiety to verify if: (1) People with high anxiety report reduced scores after 5 and 10 sessions; (2) Salivary cortisol levels accompanied the reduced scores; (3) Electroacupuncture treatment is more effective than acupuncture; (4) the treatments is independent of anxiolytic medication.MethodsVolunteers were randomized into 3 groups (control, acupuncture, and electroacupuncture). The results were analyzed by anxiety scales and salivary cortisol tests.ResultsThe findings show an improvement in anxiety, assessed by BAI, GAD-7 and OASIS, after the 5th session of acupuncture (p < 0.05) and electroacupuncture (p < 0.05) and the 10th session for both techniques (p < 0.001). The salivary cortisol values measured in the morning followed this pattern (p < 0.05), although the reduction of the night cortisol values was not statistically significant. Electroacupuncture and acupuncture show similar efficacy. The positive effect after the treatments is independent of anxiolytic medication (p < 0.001).ConclusionAcupuncture and electroacupuncture are effective in treating anxiety on their own or as adjuncts to pharmacological therapy.Trial registration numberNºP445-08/2017 (Unidade de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde);     

Patient experience of acupuncture provision in a GP practice

Patient experience of acupuncture at a GP surgery was evaluated over 18 months. Patients were referred for six acupuncture treatments of 45 min by 10 practising GPs. Measure Your Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP), was completed before the first treatment and at the start of the final consultation. A patient experience survey was completed immediately after the patient's last appointment. RESULTS: A statistically and clinically significant improvement in the mean MYMOP profile score (1.6 SD 1.3, p < 0.0000) (n = 47); reduction in medication usage; a reduction in pain and stress and improved quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture provision was beneficial to patients with predominately chronic conditions. Further studies are needed to assess the cost effectiveness and long term benefit of acupuncture in the NHS.     

A randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for initiation of labor in nulliparous women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of outpatient acupuncture for labor stimulation. METHODS: Nulliparous women at 39 4/7 weeks or greater with a singleton gestation and Bishop score of less than 7 were randomized to usual medical care (control group) versus usual care and three outpatient acupuncture treatments (acupuncture group). Each treatment consisted of eight needles applied to bilateral points LI4, SP6, UB31, and UB32. The primary outcome was time elapsed from the time of randomization to delivery. Secondary outcomes included rates of cesarean section and induction of labor. Medical records were abstracted for maternal demographic, medical, and delivery outcome data. A priori sample size calculation revealed that 56 women were required to detect a 72-hour difference in delivery time with a power of 83% and an alpha of 0.05. Student's t-test, Chi-square, and Kaplan-Meier statistics were used to compare groups. RESULTS: Fifty-six women were randomized and completed the study procedures. Race, age, gestational age, and cervical Bishop score were similar in both groups. Mean time to delivery occurred 21 hours sooner in the acupuncture group, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.36). Compared to controls, women in the acupuncture group tended to be more likely to labor spontaneously (70% vs. 50%, p = 0.12) and less likely to deliver by cesarean section (39% vs. 17%, p = 0.07). Of women who were not induced, those in the acupuncture group were more likely to be delivered than the controls at any point after enrollment (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is well tolerated among term nulliparous women and holds promise in reducing interventions that occur in post-term pregnancies.     

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Vulvodynia: A Randomized Wait-List Controlled Pilot Study

IntroductionThe incidence of vulvodynia in American women has been reported to be between 8.3% and 16%. However, there is no consistently effective standardized treatment for vulvodynia.AimTo determine the feasibility and potential effects of using a standardized acupuncture protocol for the treatment of women with vulvodynia.Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome was vulvar pain, and sexual function was the secondary outcome. Pain was assessed by the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, and function was measured by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).MethodsThirty-six women with vulvodynia met inclusion criteria. The women were randomly assigned either to the acupuncture group or to the wait-list control group. The 18 subjects assigned to the acupuncture group received acupuncture two times per week for 5 weeks for a total of 10 sessions.ResultsReports of vulvar pain and dyspareunia were significantly reduced, whereas changes in the aggregate FSFI scores suggest significant improvement in sexual functioning in those receiving acupuncture vs. those who did not. Acupuncture did not significantly increase sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, ability to orgasm or sexual satisfaction in women with vulvodynia.ConclusionThis was the first randomized controlled pilot study to examine the use of acupuncture for the treatment of vulvodynia. The acupuncture protocol was feasible and in this small sample appeared to reduce vulvar pain and dyspareunia with an increase in overall sexual function for women with vulvodynia. This study should be replicated in a larger double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Schlaeger JM, Xu N, Mejta CL, Park CG, and Wilkie DJ. Acupuncture for the treatment of vulvodynia: A randomized wait-list controlled pilot study. J Sex Med 2015;12:1019–1027.     

A randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for initiation of labor in nulliparous women

Objective. To evaluate the utility of outpatient acupuncture for labor stimulation.

Methods. Nulliparous women at 39 4/7 weeks or greater with a singleton gestation and Bishop score of less than 7 were randomized to usual medical care (control group) versus usual care and three outpatient acupuncture treatments (acupuncture group). Each treatment consisted of eight needles applied to bilateral points LI4, SP6, UB31, and UB32. The primary outcome was time elapsed from the time of randomization to delivery. Secondary outcomes included rates of cesarean section and induction of labor. Medical records were abstracted for maternal demographic, medical, and delivery outcome data. A priori sample size calculation revealed that 56 women were required to detect a 72-hour difference in delivery time with a power of 83% and an alpha of 0.05. Student's t-test, Chi-square, and Kaplan–Meier statistics were used to compare groups.

Results. Fifty-six women were randomized and completed the study procedures. Race, age, gestational age, and cervical Bishop score were similar in both groups. Mean time to delivery occurred 21 hours sooner in the acupuncture group, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.36). Compared to controls, women in the acupuncture group tended to be more likely to labor spontaneously (70% vs. 50%, p = 0.12) and less likely to deliver by cesarean section (39% vs. 17%, p = 0.07). Of women who were not induced, those in the acupuncture group were more likely to be delivered than the controls at any point after enrollment (p = 0.05).

Conclusion. Acupuncture is well tolerated among term nulliparous women and holds promise in reducing interventions that occur in post-term pregnancies.     

Acupuncture in the management of pain in labor

BACKGROUND: To assess if acupuncture could be a reasonable option for pain relief in labor and to look at possible effects of acupuncture on the progress of labor. METHODS: In a controlled, single blind study, 210 healthy parturients in spontaneous, active labor at term were randomly assigned to receive either real acupuncture or false acupuncture. Visual analog scale assessments were used to evaluate subjective effect on pain. The objective parameter of outcome was the need for analgesic medication in each group. RESULTS: There were significantly lower mean pain scores and significantly less need for pharmacological analgesia in the study group compared with the control group. The women given real acupuncture spent less time in active labor and needed less augmentation than the control group. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that acupuncture reduces the experience of pain in labor. A secondary outcome of acupuncture was a shorter delivery time, which mainly, if not exclusively, can be explained by the reduced need for epidural analgesia. Acupuncture may be useful for parturients who wish a nonpharmacological analgesia without side-effects. For others it could be the analgesic method of choice, with pharmacological analgesics as supplements.     

Influence of the frequency of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration on ovulatory responses in women with anovulation

In attempt to optimize gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) treatment of anovulation, we compared the effect of intravenous GnRH administration at three pulse intervals (PI) during 63 cycles in 30 anovulatory patients who had: (1) amenorrhea secondary to anorexia nervosa (group I: 10 patients, 21 cycles); (2) unexplained anovulation with normal to high luteinizing hormone plasma levels (group II: 12 patients, 24 cycles); and (3) polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) (group III: 8 patients, 18 cycles). Ovulation was achieved more frequently in group I (85%) than in group II (41%) or in group III (50%). In both groups I and II, the frequency of ovulatory responses was not different with the PI used, and 6 of the 17 women treated for infertility conceived; 3 with 90-minute PIs, 2 with 64-minute PIs, and 1 with 128-minute PIs. In women with PCOD, seven of the nine ovulatory responses and three pregnancies were obtained with 128-minute PIs. The overweight women with PCOD did not respond reliably to GnRH at the doses used, i.e., 4 to 15 micrograms per pulse. In all groups, the urinary estrone and estradiol preovulatory peak, duration of luteal phase, progesterone levels, and preovulatory follicle diameter were unrelated to the frequency of GnRH administration.     

Acupuncture To Treat Nausea and Vomiting in Early Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy are troublesome symptoms for some women. We undertook a single blind randomized controlled trial to determine whether acupuncture reduced nausea, dry retching, and vomiting, and improved the health status of women in pregnancy. Methods: The trial was undertaken at a maternity teaching hospital in Adelaide, Australia, where 593 women less than 14 weeks' pregnant with symptoms of nausea or vomiting were randomized into 4 groups: traditional acupuncture, pericardium 6 (p6) acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or no acupuncture (control). Treatment was administered weekly for 4 weeks. The primary outcomes were nausea, dry retching, vomiting, and health status. Comparisons were made between groups over 4 consecutive weeks. Results: Women receiving traditional acupuncture reported less nausea (p < 0.01) throughout the trial and less dry retching (p < 0.01) from the second week compared with women in the no acupuncture control group. Women who received p6 acupuncture (p < 0.05) reported less nausea from the second week of the trial, and less dry retching (p < 0.001) from the third week compared with women in the no acupuncture control group. Women in the sham acupuncture group (p < 0.01) reported less nausea and dry retching (p < 0.001) from the third week compared with women in the no acupuncture group. No differences in vomiting were found among the groups at any time. Conclusion: Acupuncture is an effective treatment for women who experience nausea and dry retching in early pregnancy. A time‐related placebo effect was found for some women. (BIRTH 29:1 March 2002)     

Two-step consecutive transfer of early embryos and blastocysts

Aim:  To evaluate and confirm the merit of two consecutive transfer attempts of early embryos and blastocysts.
Methods:  A total of 685 patients underwent routine in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. The study population consisted of three groups: (i) Group 1, early stage embryos were transferred (460 patients; 567 cycles); (ii) group 2, blastocysts were transferred (88 patients; 105 cycles); and (iii) group 3, a two-step (consecutive) transfer was performed on 137 women (141 cycles). Specifically, a standard embryo transfer was performed on day 3, together with a two-step (consecutive) transfer of blastocysts. After the early embryo transfer, an extended culture of supernumerary embryos was conducted, followed by a second transfer of blastocyst(s).
Results:  No significant differences were found in the three groups with regards to either pregnancy or implantation rates for groups 1, 2, or 3; pregnancy: 34.6, 29.9, and 33.6%, respectively; implantation: 18.6, 15.9, and 15.1%, respectively. The miscarriage rate for each group was also not significant; 20.4, 30.8 and 28.6% for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The multiple pregnancy rate of the three groups was 30.4, 30.8 and 35.7%, respectively, and these were not found to be significant results.
Conclusion:  No significant difference was found between the three groups with regards to the pregnancy, implantation, multiple pregnancy and miscarriage rates. The multiple pregnancy rate was highest in the two-step (consecutive) transfer group. This difference was not regarded to be highly significant. (Reprod Med Biol 2003; 2 : 133–137)     

Effects of acupuncture for initiation of labor: a double-blind randomized sham-controlled trial

Purpose

This double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate whether use of acupuncture could initiate labor at term and thus reduce post-term induction.

Methods

Between 2010 and 2011, a total of 80 women at 38 weeks of gestation or greater were randomized to acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups. Acupuncture points LI4, SP6 and BL67 were needled bilaterally. The primary outcome was initiation of labor. The time from acupuncture to delivery, mode of delivery, fetal and maternal outcome and Apgar scores were recorded. The trial is registered at irct.ir, number IRCT201111218151N1.

Results

Eighty women were randomized and 75 women completed the study procedure. Age, BMI, parity and gestational age were similar in both groups. Spontaneous labor was initiated in 94.7 % of acupuncture group and 89.2 % of sham acupuncture group (p = 0.430). There were no statistically significant difference between groups for time from enrollment to delivery (p = 0.06).

Conclusion

According to this study, it seems that acupuncture was not effective in labor initiation compared to sham acupuncture.     

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs as treatments for depression: An Australian pilot study

AimsAims were to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbs as treatments for depression, and to assess beliefs, attitudes and treatment experience.MethodParticipants received acupuncture or acupuncture and Chinese herbs combined for five weeks. Acupuncture was given for 30 min twice a week and herbs taken three times a day. A Beliefs and Attitudes questionnaire was administered at baseline and Treatment Experience questionnaire post treatment. Outcome measure was improvement in depressive symptoms at the end of treatment period.ResultsNineteen participants completed 5 weeks of treatment, 12 in the acupuncture group and 7 in the combined group. Treatment significantly improved depressive symptoms, however, there were no differences between groups. At baseline, participants were positive about the perceived effectiveness of treatment, and treatment experiences were positive.ConclusionsAcupuncture was effective in reducing depressive symptoms. However, herbs did not have an additional treatment effect. Beliefs and attitudes were positive.     

Is acupuncture in addition to conventional medicine effective as pain treatment for endometriosis?: A randomised controlled cross-over trial

Objective

The aim of the study was to examine whether acupuncture is an effective additional pain treatment for endometriosis.

Study design

One hundred and one women aged 20-40 years participated and were randomised into two groups, each receiving two units of 10 acupuncture treatments, twice a week over a period of five weeks. Group 1 (n = 47) received verum-acupuncture during the first series, and group 2 (n = 54) received non-specific acupuncture. After the first unit of 10 treatments, an observation period of at least two menstruation cycles was set, followed by a second unit, according to a cross-over design. Prior to the study (during a two-week run-in period) the patients’ actual pain intensity was surveyed. Throughout the study period, participants were asked to keep a ‘pain protocol’, in which they defined and recorded their pain according to the 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results

Eighty-three out of a total of 101 patients finished the study. Group 1 showed a significant reduction of pain intensity after the first 10 treatments. In comparison, group 2 showed significant pain relief only after the cross-over.

Conclusion

Acupuncture treatment on specific acupuncture points appears to be an effective pain treatment for endometriosis, but this has to be confirmed in further study.     

补肾健脑针刺疗法辅助治疗脑性瘫痪患儿的效果及其对语言发育商、综合功能的影响

目的 探究补肾健脑针刺疗法结合语言小组训练治疗脑性瘫痪(简称脑瘫)患儿的效果及其对语言发育商、综合功能的影响.方法 选取2016年6月至2019年6月于我院就诊的脑瘫患儿84例,随机分为对照组和观察组各42例.对照组予以语言小组训练,观察组在对照组的基础上联合补肾健脑针刺疗法治疗,观察两组脑瘫患儿临床效果 、语言发育商...