Table 1.
The studies of effective acupuncture for male infertility.
| Study ID | Design | Samplesize | Number of treatments | Interventions | Outcomes | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | Control study | 32 | 10 sessions (twice a week for 5 weeks) | Treatment arm: Liegue (LU7),Zusanli(ST36),Pishu(BL20), Hegu(LI4),Quchi(LI11),Qichong(ST30), Xuehai(SP10),Fuliu(KI7),Neiguan(PC6), Yinlingguan(SP9),Ligou(LI5),Qihai(RE6), Shenmen(HT7),Zhaohai(KI6),Qugu(RE2), Sanyinjiao(SP6),Zhongliao(BL33), Huiyin (RE1),Guanyuan(RE4),Shenshu(BL23), Quguan(LI8), Mingmen(DU4) Control arm: no intervention |
Compared with control arm, the total functional sperm fraction, percentage of viability, total motile spermatozoa per ejaculate, and integrity of the axonema in the intervention arm were improved (p < 0.05) | Small sample size No blindness |
| 42 | Control study | 40 | 10 sessions (twice a week for 5 weeks) | Treatment arm: the main points: SP6, RE4, Zhaohai(KI6), LU7 and Qicong(ST30) “kidney-yang deficiency” syndrome add Taixi(KI3), Shenshu(BL23),Henggu(KI11) and Zhishi(BL52) “damp-heat in the genital system” syndrome add Shuidao(ST28), SP9, LI5, LI11 and Zuliqi(GB41) Control arm: no intervention |
In the intervention arm: the sperm density from 0.3 ± 0.6 ×106 to 3.3 ± 3.2×106 spermatozoa per ejaculate; Z =−2.4, p ≤ 0.02); the sperm production from 0 to an average of l.5 ± 2.4×106 spermatozoa per ejaculate (Z = −2.8, p ≤ 0.01) |
Small sample size No blindness |
| 43 | Control study | 22 | 8 sessions (twice a week for 2 months) | Baihui(GV20), PC6, Cice, SP10, Neiting (ST44), BL23, SP6, Xuanzhong(GB39), Gongsun(SP4), Fenglong(ST40), RE6 and RE4 | Compared with before, acupuncture can improve sperm motility (11.0± 7.5%, p<0.01), normal sperm ratio (21.1%± 10.4% vs 16.2%± 8.2%, p<0.05) and the fertilization rates (66.2% vs 40.2%, p<0.01) | Small sample size Without control arm |
| 44 | Control study | 19 | 20 sessions (twice a week for 10 weeks) | Treatment arm: ST30,KI3,Taichong(LR3),SP4,LI4,ST36, PC6,SP6,together with several moxa points Control arm:non-therapeutic points |
Percentage of normal sperm in treatment arm presented a significant increase (calculated U=16.0, critical U=17.0) compared with control arm | Small sample size |
| 45 | RCT | 57 | 12 sessions (twice weekly for 6 weeks) |
Treatment arm: ST36, SP6, KI3, LV3, BL23, BL32, ST29, SP10, RE4, GV20 Control arm: Nonopenetrating placebo acupuncture needles |
Acupuncture showed a significant effect of on the percentage of total motile sperm (p=0.035). | Small sample size |
| 47 | RCT | 70 | 10 sessions (twice a week for consecutive 5weeks) |
Treatment arm: laser fibers to HN1, BL19, ST36, SP9, SP6, LR3,RN12,RN6,RN4,BL18,LI4,RN2,BL21, BL20,Yanglingquan(GB34),Guilai(ST29),Tianshu(ST25),GB20,Dazhui(DU14),Dachangshu (BL25), and BL32 Control arm: sham laser acupuncture |
The sperm motility and sperm concentration had a significant difference in both control and intervention group (p=0.0001) |
Small sample size |
| 48 | RCT | 121 | 60 sessions (once a day for 30 days, rest for 1–2days then continue with another 30 sessions |
Arm 1: TEAS at 2Hz at BL23, ST36, CV1(Huiyin) and CV4 Arm 2: TEAS at 100Hz at BL23, ST36, CV1 and CV4 Placebo control arm: mock TEAS with a barely detectable current for 3s Control arm: given lifestyle advice |
2 Hz TEAS can improve sperm count and motility in patients with abnormal semen parameters | Small sample size |
| 51 | Control study | 72 | 60 sessions (once a day for 60 days) |
2/100 Hz TEAS arm: bilateral BL23, ST36(left), RE4 Control arm: no intervention |
Both 2 and 100 Hz TEAS are effective for the treatment of asthenozoospermia by improving sperm motility and vitality | Small sample size No blindness |
| 52 | Case report | 1 | 12 sessions (once a week for 3 months) |
HN1 (Sishencong), LI4, ST36, GB34, SP9, SP6, LR3, RN13 (Zhongwan), RN7, RN4, RN2 (Qugu), ST29, ST25, Fengchi(GB20), DU14,Ganshu(BL18),Danshu(BL19),BL20, BL21(Weishu),BL25 and Ciliao(BL32) | Acupuncture can improve the sperm quality in restoring fertility | Small sample size No blindness |
| 55 | RCT | 90 | 8 sessions (twice a week for 4 weeks) |
Paroxetine Acupuncture arm: ST36, LI4, KI3, LR3, Yintang(EX-HN3) and Zhongji(CV3) Placebo acupuncture |
The effect of acupuncture was less effective than paroxetine, but was superior than placebo. | |
| 56 | Control study | 50 | 24 sessions (rest for 1 day after 6 days sessions, totally4 courses) |
The observation arm: 2-100 Hz EA on CV3 and SP6 The control arm: Longdan Xiegan decoction |
EA was beneficial to premature ejaculation, which may be related to the regulation of serum testosterone. | Small sample size No blindness |
| 58 | Control study | 30 | 16 sessions (twice a week for 8 weeks) | Acupuncture arm: CV3, CV4, CV6, BL23, BL32, and ST29 Varicocelectomy arm |
Acupuncture is effective and similar with varicocelectomy in varicocele patients. | Small sample size No blindness |
| 60 | Case report | 1 | 10 sessions | CV3,CV4,CV6, ST29,LI4, LR3, ST36, SP6, with EA at CV6 CV3 and ST29 | Acupuncture may be an effective alternative therapy for varicocele | Small sample size No blindness |