Box 1.

Summary of the Current Evidence on Acupuncture's Influence on In Vitro Fertilization Birth Outcomes

1. Acupuncture, compared to no treatment, is effective for increasing:

• Clinical pregnancy rate by 28%–32%

• Ongoing pregnancy rate by 42%

• Live birth rate by 30%.

2. The efficacy of acupuncture is still unclear and confounded by the need for an adequate, inert control.

3. Acupuncture was more effective for increasing live births:

• In patients with previously failed cycles

• Clinics with a baseline pregnancy rate <32%.

4. Characteristics more-favorable for improving outcomes were:

• More acupuncture treatments,

• Acupuncture treatment focused before and on the day of embryo transfer

• Using a modified Paulus protocol on the day of embryo transfer.