Domar 2009.
Methods | Randomised controlled trial of fertility patients in the US | |
Participants | 150 patients recruited and randomised to either needle acupuncture (n = 78) and no treatment (n=68). The average age of the two groups of women was 36 years, with similar numbers of previous IVF cycles in the two groups. |
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Interventions | Acupuncture performed by an acupuncturist 25 minutes before and after embryo transfer versus no treatment control | |
Outcomes | Clinical pregnancy rate | |
Assisted conception protocols | Protocol breakdown not provided | |
Notes | ||
Risk of bias | ||
Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Low risk | ‘randomisation was accomplished by using a computer‐generated random numbers table’ |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Unclear risk | Not stated in the manuscript |
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes | High risk | Not possible to blind as control group had no intervention |
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | 146 participants randomized but number completed not reported. |
Selective reporting (reporting bias) | Unclear risk | No LBR outcomes reported. |
Other bias | Low risk | None known |