RecruitingACTRN12609000923268

Acupuncture and reproductive health outcomes: building evidence in an integrated care setting.

A pilot study to examine evidence of an immune response from acupuncture when administered to women undergoing a fresh in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle on the day of an embryo transfer

Sponsor

University of Western Sydney

Enrollment

40 participants

Start Date

Jan 18, 2010

Study Type

Interventional

Conditions

Reproductive Health Immune System Health

Summary

There is promising evidence that acupuncture improves pregnancy and live birth rates for women when administered as an adjunct to IVF on the day of ET. The aim of this study is to build a research framework to further investigate the evidence for acupuncture administered within an integrated care setting in reproductive health care. The integrative care proposal is a partnership between IVF Australia, The Acupuncture IVF Support Clinic and The University of Western Sydney. We will conduct early phase research to examine a potential mechanism for acupuncture when administered as an adjunct to IVF.

Eligibility

Sex: FemalesMin Age: 18 YearssMax Age: 42 Yearss

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is looking at whether acupuncture given on the day of embryo transfer during IVF treatment can improve the chances of getting pregnant. Researchers are partnering with an IVF clinic and an acupuncture clinic to study how acupuncture might help support the IVF process, particularly for women who have already had two failed embryo transfers. The study will also explore possible biological reasons why acupuncture might work. You may be eligible if: - You are a woman under 43 years old - You are going through a fresh IVF or ICSI cycle - You have had at least two previous unsuccessful embryo transfers (including fresh or frozen) - You are having a stimulated IVF cycle You may NOT be eligible if: - You are undergoing a frozen (not fresh) embryo transfer - You are under 18 years old - You have already had acupuncture during this current IVF cycle - You are planning pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) - You are using donor eggs Talk to your doctor about whether this trial might be right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

We will seek two groups of women to parctipate in the research, women using acupuncture and a group not receiving acupuncture. The acupuncture group will require women to attend for acupuncture on t

We will seek two groups of women to parctipate in the research, women using acupuncture and a group not receiving acupuncture. The acupuncture group will require women to attend for acupuncture on the day of an embryo transfer (ET). Two acupuncture treatments will be administered for 25 minutes on the day of ET, immediately before and after ET. The acupuncture is based on the Paulus protocol and include an initial set of ten acupuncture points, and four auricular points. The control group receives standard care only.