Impact of whole systems traditional Chinese medicine on in-vitro fertilization outcomes

Lee E. Hullender Rubin, Michael S. Opsahl, Klaus E. Wiemer, Scott D. Mist, Aaron B. Caughey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Patients undergoing IVF may receive either acupuncture or whole-systems traditional Chinese medicine (WS-TCM) as an adjuvant IVF treatment. WS-TCM is a complex intervention that can include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, dietary, lifestyle recommendations. In this retrospective cohort study, 1231 IVF patient records were reviewed to assess the effect of adjuvant WS-TCM on IVF outcomes compared among three groups: IVF with no additional treatment; IVF and elective acupuncture on day of embryo transfer; or IVF and elective WS-TCM. The primary outcome was live birth. Of 1069 non-donor cycles, WS-TCM was associated with greater odds of live birth compared with IVF alone (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36 to 3.21), or embryo transfer with acupuncture only (AOR 1.62; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.52). Of 162 donor cycles, WS-TCM was associated with increased live births compared with all groups (odds Ratio [OR] 3.72; 95% CI 1.05 to 13.24, unadjusted) or embryo transfer with acupuncture only (OR 4.09; 95% CI: 1.02 to 16.38, unadjusted). Overall, IVF with adjuvant WS-TCM was associated with greater odds of live birth in donor and non-donor cycles. These results should be taken cautiously as more rigorous research is needed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)602-612
Number of pages11
JournalReproductive biomedicine online
Volume30
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2015

Keywords

  • Chinese herbal medicine
  • acupuncture
  • embryo transfer
  • in-vitro fertilization
  • live births
  • traditional Chinese medicine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Developmental Biology

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