Acupuncture Versus Placebo Acupuncture During In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Embryo Transfer

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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During IVF treatment, acupuncture at the time of embryo transfer may improve the pregnancy rate. This study aims to compare IVF pregnancy between two groups of patients that received either acupuncture or sham acupuncture (placebo)around embryo transfer

Detailed Description
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Acupuncture at the time of embryo transfer may improve the IVF pregnancy rate. This study aims to compare the IVF pregnancy between two groups of patients that undergo ivf/icsi treatment. The patients are randomized to receive either acupuncture or sham acupuncture (placebo)around embryo transfer

Official Title
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Acupuncture Versus Placebo Acupuncture During Ivf Embryo Transfer

Conditions
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Infertility

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Acupuncture (Carbo®)
* Device: Placebo acupuncture (Strietberger®)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: infertility below 38 years ivf or icsi treatment fresh embryo transfer cycle no more than two earlier embryo transfers with fresh embryos embryo transfer on day 2 or 3 after oocyte aspiration, single or double embryo transfer Exclusion Criteria: Frozen embryo transfer oocyte donation other alternative treatment during the cycle

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 37 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 1<br>30 minutes of acupuncture just before and just after embryo replacement | Device: Acupuncture (Carbo®)<br>* The acupuncture points were chosen according to traditional Chinese medicine and included DU20, M29, KS6, Mp8, and Le3 before embryo transfer and DU20, Co4, Mp10, M36, and Mp6 after embryo transfer.<br>* Other names: Acupuncture needles: Carbo® needle,Acupharma A/S.;|
| Placebo Comparator: 2<br>Sham acupuncture for 30 minutes just before and just after embryo transfer | Device: Placebo acupuncture (Strietberger®)<br>* The acupuncture points were the same as in the true acupuncture group, namely DU20, M29, KS6, Mp8, and Le3 before embryo transfer and DU20, Co4, Mp10, M36, and Mp6 after embryo transfer. Sham acupuncture needles used were the validated Strietberger® placebo-needle from the company, Asia Med. The needle is not fixed inside the copper handle and its tip is blunt. When the needle touches the skin it moves inside the handle and appears to be shortened. A pricking sensation is felt by the patient, simulating the puncturing of the skin. Developed by dr. Konrad Streitberger.<br>* Other names: Sham acupuncture needles: Strietberger® placebo-needle, Asia Med.;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Clinical pregnancy rate |  | 2005-2008 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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infertility, ivf, acupuncture