So 2009.

Methods	Randomised controlled trial of fertility patients in Hong Kong
Participants	370 patients undergoing assisted reproductive treatment randomised to either acupuncture (n = 185) or placebo acupuncture arms (n = 185). The median age (interquartile range) in the acupuncture and placebo groups respectively was 36 (33 ‐ 38) and 36 (34 ‐ 38). Mean BMI (± SD) was similar at 21.6 (± 2.1) and 21.7 (± 2.7) kg/m2 for acupuncture and placebo groups respectively. Both groups were comparable in terms of duration of infertility, cause of infertility, previous experience of acupuncture and smoking habit
Interventions	Needle acupuncture or placebo needle acupuncture for 25 minutes before and after embryo transfer. Intervention performed by a certified Chinese acupuncturist with a degree in Chinese Medicine and 3 years experience
Outcomes	Pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, miscarriage rate
Assisted conception protocols	Standard, long protocol GnRH down‐regulation and the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG)
Notes
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Low risk	Participants were randomized by a computer generated randomization list
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Low risk	Sealed opaque envelopes from the list used. ‘The sequence of randomization was concealed until interventions were assigned.’
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes	Low risk	‘patients, clinical staff involved in the care of patients and embryologist were blinded to the treatment group assigned’. The codes were only revealed after the completion of the entire study. Control group also had placebo needles.
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	370 participants randomized; all completed the study.
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Low risk	None known.
Other bias	Low risk	None known