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4. ASRM Updates 2008 -- Update 4

ASRM Updates 2008 -- Update 4

Fertility Flash. Among those attending the conference from PFC were Dr. Philip Chenette and Dr. Isabelle Ryan and Peggy Orlin, MFT. Their reviews cover the following topics: Update #1: Ovarian Stimulation Techniques, Update #2: PGD and Aneuploidy Screening Techniques, Update #3: Egg Freezing, Update #4: Acupuncture, and Update #5: Men and ART. Update #4: Acupuncture The published study of German Paulus ⁽¹⁾ reported improved pregnancy rates with a one-time acupuncture treatment pre-and-post embryo transfer. This sparked great interest for providers of fertility treatment, in both the conventional and Chinese medicine (TMC) communities (see Fertility Flash March, 2004). A few years later, a study from Denmark ⁽²⁾ reported improved pregnancy rates in patients receiving pre-and-post transfer acupuncture, but no improvement if there were two post-transfer treatments. In both of these studies, there were no sham acupuncture (i.e. simulated but not real acupuncture) treatment controls. Smith ⁽³⁾ and colleagues in Australia did compare acupuncture versus sham acupuncture (but did not include a no-treatment control group), using 3 treatment sessions: ovarian stimulation day 9, pre and post embryo transfer. There was no difference found in these different study groups. Interestingly, subjects in the sham control group were more likely to report relaxation as a side effect of acupuncture. Some studies indicate that sham acupuncture evokes acupressure, and in this way, may trigger physiological responses. In all the above studies, the acupuncture treatments were performed within the IVF centers (patients did not have to travel off-site). In general, there were no more than 100 patients per treatment group. At ASRM, Dr. Craig and colleagues reported an acupuncture study conducted in Seattle, using 3 IVF clinics. The acupuncture sessions were performed off-site by 2 acupuncturists. The patients were randomized to pre- and post-transfer acupuncture vs. no treatment. The physicians were not aware if the subjects were or were not receiving treatment. A total of 97 patients were studied (about 50 patients per treatment group). Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were as follows: 54% and 39% for the acupuncture group, and 78% and 65% for the control group. These results were statistically significant. Of all the acupuncture studies thus far published, this is the first study to suggest a possible detriment to the use of acupuncture in IVF treatment. One of the important differences for this study versus other randomized controlled trials is that all the patients had to go to an off-site acupuncture center for their treatment. This may be an important factor when a patient has to travel to the acupuncture clinic immediately before and immediately after an embryo transfer. Perhaps this factor would increase stress levels. Another important difference for these Seattle IVF centers was that baseline pregnancy rates are much higher than the previously-studied non-US centers. The higher the baseline pregnancy rate, the more difficult it is to show a difference in treatment results— so a statistically significant result would be more credible. Ideally, a multi-center randomized-controlled-trial should be performed where the following comparisons can be evaluated: acupuncture pre-and-post transfer, no-acupuncture control group, sham-acupuncture control group, and these 3 groups can be compared at both on-site and off-site acupuncture centers. Each study group would require at least 100 patients, so this would require about 1000 patients total. As we have a chance to collaborate with TCM providers, and as patients are willing to participate in these large multi-center randomized clinical trials, we will gain a better understanding about whether a mix of allopathic and TCM medicine improves overall care, and which combination of treatments may be the most beneficial for our mutual patients. Isabelle Ryan, MD References: (1) Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertil Steril. 2002, Apr; 77(4):721-4. (2) Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: a prospective, randomized trial. Fertil Steril. 2006 May; 85(5):1341-6. (3) Influence of acupuncture stimulation on pregnancy rates for women undergoing embryo transfer. Fertil Steril. 2006 May; 85(5):1352-8.

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