---
title: "Research spotlight – Acupuncture improves outcomes of IVF and ICSI"
url: https://dylansteinacupuncture.com/2012/08/research-spotlight-acupuncture-improves-outcomes-of-ivf-and-icsi/
description: "Research shows that acupuncture during the luteal phase will improve the outcome of pregnancy of in-vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection."
published: 2012-08-21
updated: 2012-08-21
---

# Research spotlight – Acupuncture improves outcomes of IVF and ICSI

Published 2012-08-21

21 August 2012 · Dylan Stein

Recent research from China suggests that luteal phase acupuncture can improve pregnancy outcomes of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

225 patients undergoing fertility treatments were randomized to receive acupuncture according to Chinese medicine principles or sham acupuncture (picking points unrelated to principles or picking non-points).

Researchers found “In [acupuncture group], the clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate [was] 33.6% and 28.4%, respectively… [and] were significantly higher than in [the sham group] (15.6% and 13.8%).” This suggests that luteal phase acupuncture improves pregnancy outcomes in couples being treated for infertility by IVF with ICSI. My personal opinion is that ongoing treatment will be most effective in treating infertility, and increased frequency of treatment around date of transfer is warranted.

Categories Fertility and Infertility, Men's Health, Research