Table 4.

Other acupuncture claims.

Claim made	Number of clinic websites (%) n = 16	Number of affiliated practitioner websites (%) n = 15
Specialist ‘fertility acupuncture’ protocols or training/certification	4 (25)	12 (80)
Say studies have shown improvements or references to specific studies	3 (19)	4 (27)
Use TCM terminology, magical/fantastical thinking	4 (25)	2 (13)
Reduced IVF medication side effects	3 (19)	3 (20)
Treatment is safe	4 (25)	1 (7)
Say evidence is inconclusive or insufficient	2 (13)	2 (13)
Improved response to IVF drugs	1 (6)	0 (0)
Benefits to relationship/sex life	1 (6)	0 (0)

TCM, traditional Chinese medicine; IVF, in-vitro fertilization.