Clinical evidence of acupuncture for infertile women with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing IVF/ICSI: a systematic review and meta-analysis - Report - MDSpire

Clinical evidence of acupuncture for infertile women with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing IVF/ICSI: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • By

  • Liangliang Xu

  • Xueyan Liang

  • Wei Wang

  • Ruifang Zhang

  • Guangyao Lin

  • Kaili Cao

  • Ping Sun

  • Li Fan

  • June 10, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Efficacy of Acupuncture in Enhancing IVF/ICSI Outcomes

Overview

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the impact of acupuncture on IVF/ICSI outcomes in women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Findings indicate significant improvements in clinical pregnancy rates, live birth rates, and embryo implantation rates with acupuncture treatment.

Background

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a significant factor contributing to infertility, affecting a substantial number of women globally. The challenge of improving reproductive outcomes in this population has led to the exploration of various adjunctive therapies, including acupuncture. Understanding the efficacy of acupuncture in enhancing IVF/ICSI outcomes is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies for women with DOR.

Data Highlights

{'table': {'Clinical Pregnancy Rate': {'Effect Size': '25%', 'Confidence Interval': '0.18 to 0.32', 'p-value': '< 0.00001'}, 'Live Birth Rate': {'Effect Size': '22%', 'Confidence Interval': '0.05 to 0.40', 'p-value': '0.01'}, 'Embryo Implantation Rate': {'Effect Size': '30%', 'Confidence Interval': '0.20 to 0.41', 'p-value': '< 0.00001'}, 'Oocytes Retrieved': {'Effect Size': '1.72', 'Confidence Interval': '1.03 to 2.41', 'p-value': '< 0.00001'}, 'Optimal Embryos': {'Effect Size': '1.50', 'Confidence Interval': '1.42 to 1.58', 'p-value': '< 0.00001'}, 'E2 on hCG Trigger Day': {'Effect Size': '318.48', 'Confidence Interval': '137.16 to 499.80', 'p-value': '0.0006'}}}

Key Findings

  • Acupuncture increased clinical pregnancy rates by 25% in women with DOR undergoing IVF/ICSI.
  • Live birth rates improved by 22% with acupuncture treatment.
  • Embryo implantation rates were enhanced by 30% due to acupuncture.
  • Acupuncture led to a significant increase in the number of oocytes retrieved (MD = 1.72).
  • The number of optimal embryos also increased significantly (MD = 1.50).
  • Acupuncture improved E2 levels on the day of hCG trigger (MD = 318.48).

Clinical Implications

The findings suggest that acupuncture may serve as a beneficial adjunctive therapy for improving reproductive outcomes in women with DOR undergoing IVF/ICSI. Clinicians should consider integrating acupuncture into treatment protocols while remaining aware of the need for further rigorous studies to confirm these results.

Conclusion

Acupuncture appears to positively influence clinical outcomes in women with DOR undergoing IVF/ICSI, though further high-quality research is necessary to validate these findings.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers in Medicine, 2026 -- Acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy in a patient with diminished ovarian reserve and recurrent IVF failure: a case report
  2. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2026 -- Clinical efficacy of acupuncture for women with PCOS undergoing IVF/ICSI: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
  3. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2026 -- Commentary: Effect of acupuncture for poor ovarian response: a multicenter randomized controlled trial
  4. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2026 -- Effectiveness of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes in patients with repeated implantation failure after IVF-ET: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial
  5. American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2020 -- Testing and interpreting measures of ovarian reserve: a committee opinion
  6. Frontiers, 2026 -- Clinical evidence of acupuncture for infertile women with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing IVF/ICSI: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  7. Merck Manual Professional Edition -- Diminished Ovarian Reserve - Gynecology and Obstetrics
  8. Testing and interpreting measures of ovarian reserve: a committee opinion (2020) - practice guidance | American Society for Reproductive Medicine | ASRM
  9. Frontiers | Clinical evidence of acupuncture for infertile women with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing IVF/ICSI: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  10. Diminished Ovarian Reserve - Gynecology and Obstetrics - Merck Manual Professional Edition

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