Acupuncture Versus Placebo Acupuncture During In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Embryo Transfer

Acupuncture Versus Placebo Acupuncture During Ivf Embryo Transfer

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00913354

Enrollment

635

Registered

2009-06-04

Start date

2005-11-30

Completion date

2009-03-31

Last updated

2009-06-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Infertility

Keywords

infertility, ivf, acupuncture

Brief summary

During IVF treatment, acupuncture at the time of embryo transfer may improve the pregnancy rate. This study aims to compare IVF pregnancy between two groups of patients that received either acupuncture or sham acupuncture (placebo)around embryo transfer

Detailed description

Acupuncture at the time of embryo transfer may improve the IVF pregnancy rate. This study aims to compare the IVF pregnancy between two groups of patients that undergo ivf/icsi treatment. The patients are randomized to receive either acupuncture or sham acupuncture (placebo)around embryo transfer

Interventions

DEVICEAcupuncture (Carbo®)

The acupuncture points were chosen according to traditional Chinese medicine and included DU20, M29, KS6, Mp8, and Le3 before embryo transfer and DU20, Co4, Mp10, M36, and Mp6 after embryo transfer.

DEVICEPlacebo acupuncture (Strietberger®)

The acupuncture points were the same as in the true acupuncture group, namely DU20, M29, KS6, Mp8, and Le3 before embryo transfer and DU20, Co4, Mp10, M36, and Mp6 after embryo transfer. Sham acupuncture needles used were the validated Strietberger® placebo-needle from the company, Asia Med. The needle is not fixed inside the copper handle and its tip is blunt. When the needle touches the skin it moves inside the handle and appears to be shortened. A pricking sensation is felt by the patient, simulating the puncturing of the skin. Developed by dr. Konrad Streitberger.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE (Subject)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

FEMALE

Age

18 Years to 37 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* infertility * below 38 years * ivf or icsi treatment * fresh embryo transfer cycle * no more than two earlier embryo transfers with fresh embryos * embryo transfer on day 2 or 3 after oocyte aspiration, single or double embryo transfer

Exclusion criteria

* Frozen embryo transfer * oocyte donation * other alternative treatment during the cycle

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Clinical pregnancy rate	2005-2008

Countries

Denmark

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026