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

doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.02.005

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Highlights

•: Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine (WS-TCM) added to IVF may be beneficial.
•: WS-TCM and IVF was associated with more live births compared with acupuncture and IVF.
•: WS-TCM and IVF was associated with more live births compared with IVF alone.
•: WS-TCM is individualized and includes acupuncture and other TCM interventions.

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.

Keywords

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

: Corresponding author.

Lee Hullender Rubin, DAOM, MS, LAc, FABORM, is a clinician and researcher specializing in reproductive medicine, women's health and vulvar pain. She graduated with her master's degree from Bastyr University in 2001, and her doctorate from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) in 2009. Dr Hullender Rubin was OCOM's first postdoctoral research fellow funded by a National Institutes of Health educational grant. She teaches the doctoral infertility module and is Adjunct Research Faculty at OCOM, and Visiting Research Faculty at Oregon Health and Science University. She currently practices at her clinic, the Portland Acupuncture Studio, in Portland, Oregon.

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Sunday, 10 May 2015