Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupuncture Point Stimulation on Endometrial Receptivity in Women Undergoing Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer: A Single-Blind Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulation (TEAS) on endometrial HOXA10 protein expression and three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound parameters as markers of endometrial receptivity in women undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). Methods A total of 68 women undergoing FET were randomised to receive TEAS or mock TEAS at acupuncture points CV3, CV4 and SP6 and Zigong bilaterally. Both groups had six sessions per cycle for three menstrual cycles prior to the scheduled FET. Each session lasted 30 min and was repeated every other day. 3D power Doppler ultrasound parameters, HOXA10 protein expression and rates of embryo implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth were compared. Results There were no significant differences between the two groups in endometrial thickness or endometrial volume. The ultrasonographic endometrial triple-line pattern was present more often in the TEAS group ( p=0.002). The TEAS group had a greater endometrial and subendometrial vascularisation index (VI) than the mock TEAS group ( p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) on 3D ultrasound and increased endometrial HOXA10 expression ( p=0.001) immediately prior to FET. Subsequently, the rates of embryo implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were all higher in the TEAS group than in the mock TEAS group ( p=0.024, p=0.038 and p=0

General Issues in Clinical Research of Acupuncture and In Vitro Fertilization

“…In recent years, several articles have reported the positive role of TEAS in IVF [28][29][30], confirming our initial assumption and indicating that we should focus on comfort acupuncture for infertility, not like paralytic diseases, and the stronger the stimulation, the better the effect [31]. e patient should feel relaxed or unstressed and be adapted to the technique and acupuncturist before the IVF cycle begins.…”

Somatosensory Stimulation and Assisted Reproduction

“…The paper by Shuai et al 48 used TEAS rather than needle acupuncture and examined its efficacy and mechanisms of action in women undergoing frozen-thawed ET. TEAS significantly increased the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and LBR relative to a sham intervention (mock TEAS).…”

Pregnancy outcome treated with stage-by-stage acupuncture and moxibustion therapy based on the chong channel being sea of blood theory in repeated IVF-ET failure patients

“…Currently, studies have begun to explore whether acupuncture and moxibustion can improve endometrial receptivity. For example, Zheng et al [ 13 ] found that percutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation can improve endometrial receptivity, thus increasing the pregnancy rate of IVF-ET patients. Xing et al [ 14 ] found that combination of acupuncture and medicine can significantly improve endometrial receptivity of patients.…”