Effect of acupuncture on IVF-related anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Patients undergoing IVF experience high levels of IVF-related state anxiety. Non-pharmacological interventions such as acupuncture may provide support, but its effect on IVF-related anxiety is unclear. This was a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effect of acupuncture on IVF-related state anxiety.

The Assessment and Treatment of Inpatient Cancer-Related Pain with Acupuncture: Development of a Manual.

Pain is a highly prevalent and distressing experience of hospitalized patients with cancer, and undertreatment is a challenging issue. Adding nonpharmacologic treatments such as acupuncture to conventional pain management may help address a patient's total pain experience. A dearth of acupuncture treatment guidelines exists, leaving individual practitioners to develop treatments themselves.

Overcoming Barriers in Clinical Acupuncture Research: Translating Clinical Practice into Fundamental Science.

The translation of clinical practice into research presents unique challenges. This is especially the case in evaluating the effect of interventions in the management of chronic conditions such as pain, mental health, substance misuse, and oncology care. Chronic complex conditions might respond to different strategies at different points in time and may require an interdisciplinary approach to treatment.

Point of Influence: What is the Role of Acupuncture in Fertilization Outcomes?

Augmenting fertilization (IVF) with acupuncture is a popular adjuvant therapy in the United States, but its influence on IVF birth outcomes remains controversial. Recent meta-analyses found acupuncture is effective to increase the risk of live births by 30% when acupuncture was compared with no treatment in nine trials of 1,980 women. The efficacy of acupuncture is unclear, however, and confounded by the need for an adequate, inert control.

Acupuncture Augmentation of Lidocaine for Provoked, Localized Vulvodynia: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of acupuncture's augmentation of lidocaine therapy in the treatment of provoked localized vulvodynia (PLV).

Materials And Methods: For 12 weeks, women with moderate to severe PLV were randomized to either 18 sessions of traditional acupuncture (TA) or non-TA (NTA). All participants applied lidocaine 5% cream 4 times daily to the vestibule.

Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain: Recommendations to Medicare/Medicaid from the Society for Acupuncture Research.

This column takes our series from the Society for Acupuncture Research (SAR) in a new direction. Recently, the U.S.

Acupuncture and fertilisation research: current and future directions.

Background: Acupuncture is a common adjuvant treatment to support patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF). However, the impact of acupuncture and the different roles it can play in IVF remain unclear.

Objective: In this paper, we present an overview and critique of the current evidence on acupuncture's impact on IVF-related stress, describe harms, and propose future directions for investigation.

Impact of whole systems traditional Chinese medicine on in-vitro fertilization outcomes.

Patients undergoing IVF may receive either acupuncture or whole-systems traditional Chinese medicine (WS-TCM) as an adjuvant IVF treatment. WS-TCM is a complex intervention that can include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, dietary, lifestyle recommendations. In this retrospective cohort study, 1231 IVF patient records were reviewed to assess the effect of adjuvant WS-TCM on IVF outcomes compared among three groups: IVF with no additional treatment; IVF and elective acupuncture on day of embryo transfer; or IVF and elective WS-TCM.

Effectiveness guidance document (EGD) for Chinese medicine trials: a consensus document.

Background: There is a need for more Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) on Chinese medicine (CM) to inform clinical and policy decision-making. This document aims to provide consensus advice for the design of CER trials on CM for researchers. It broadly aims to ensure more adequate design and optimal use of resources in generating evidence for CM to inform stakeholder decision-making.

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) can present with coexistent subfertility caused by diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Recent texts suggest that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may improve pregnancy outcomes for women with RPL.

Objective: This article reports the outcome of the treatment of a female of advanced maternal age.

Acupuncture and in vitro fertilization: a retrospective chart review.

Objectives: In 2007, Craig et al. reported the results of a randomized controlled trial in which a standardized acupuncture protocol performed on the day of embryo transfer (ET) resulted in lower pregnancy rates after in vitro fertilization (IVF). Between 2005 and 2007, the Craig protocol was used by one of the authors (LHR) at an infertility clinic unaffiliated with the Craig et al.

A prospective patient-centered data collection program at an acupuncture and oriental medicine teaching clinic.

Objective: Large-scale patient-reported outcomes research investigating the role of acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) in general practice is limited, despite the growing use of AOM in the United States. This article describes the development and refinement of a prospective, patient-centered outcomes data collection program at an Oriental medicine college and presents demographic and clinical data.

Setting/location: Individualized acupuncture treatment at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine teaching clinic in Portland, Oregon.

Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Clomid, and Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Case Study.

Background: Infertility caused by diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) can result from an endocrinological imbalance. A rise in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and decrease in antral follicle count (AFC) for women age ≤35 can lower pregnancy rates to <5%, and increase miscarriage rates to >75%. Chinese medicine may improve FSH and AFC levels in patients with DOR.