Somatosensory Stimulation and Assisted Reproduction

Objective: To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupuncture stimulation (TEAS) on pregnancy outcomes in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Methods: A total of 122 women with RIF undergoing fresh embryo transfer cycle IVF were randomly allocated to a TEAS or mock TEAS (MTEAS) group. Gonadotrophin therapy using a long protocol was provided in both groups. TEAS consisted of 30 min of stimulation (9–25 mA, 2 Hz) at SP6, CV3, CV4 and Zigong from day 5 of the ovarian stimulation cycle once every other day until the day of embryo transfer. The patients in the control group received MTEAS. Implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were compared. Results: In the TEAS group, the implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate (24.3%, 32.8% and 27.9%, respectively) were significantly higher than in the MTEAS group (12.1%, 16.4% and 13.1%, respectively). Conclusions: TEAS significantly improves the clinical outcomes of subsequent IVF cycles among women who have experienced RIF. Trial registration number: ChiCTR-TRC-14004730.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulation improves pregnancy outcomes in patients with recurrent implantation failure undergoing in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer: a prospective, randomised trial

Shuai

Tang

et al. 2019

“…There is also evidence of a dose-response relationship when acupuncture and related techniques are used for non-gynaecological pain conditions 14 or subfertility. 15 Other complex interventions such as psychotherapy 16 also show a clear dose-response relationship. While theoretically sound, the current evidence for the existence of a dose-response phenomenon when treating primary dysmenorrhoea is unclear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Treating Primary Dysmenorrhoea with Acupuncture: A Narrative Review of the Relationship between Acupuncture ‘dose— and Menstrual Pain Outcomes

Armour

Smith

2016

Objective A number of randomised controlled trials have been performed to determine the effectiveness or efficacy of acupuncture in primary dysmenorrhoea. The objective of this review was to explore the relationship between the ‘dose’ of the acupuncture intervention and menstrual pain outcomes. Methods Eight databases were systematically searched for trials examining penetrating body acupuncture for primary dysmenorrhoea published in English up to September 2015. Dose components for each trial were extracted, assessed by the two authors and categorised by neurophysiological dose (number of needles, retention time and mode of stimulation), cumulative dose (total number and frequency of treatments), needle location and treatment timing. Results Eleven trials were included. Components of acupuncture dose were well reported across all trials. The relationship between needle location and menstrual pain demonstrated conflicting results. Treatment before the menses appeared to produce greater reductions in pain than treatment starting at the onset of menses. A single needle during menses may provide greater pain reduction compared to multiple needles. Conversely, multiple needles before menses were superior to a single needle. Electroacupuncture may provide more rapid pain reduction compared to manual acupuncture but may not have a significantly different effect on overall menstrual pain. Conclusions There appear to be relationships between treatment timing and mode of needle stimulation, and menstrual pain outcomes. Needle location, number of needles used and frequency of treatment show clear dose-response relationships with menstrual pain outcomes. Current research is insufficient to make definitive clinical recommendations regarding optimum dose parameters for treating primary dysmenorrhoea.

“…Acupuncture is a part of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used to treat various disorders in the East for more than 3000 years and is now gaining widespread acceptance as a complementary medical treatment. In addition to traditional manual acupuncture (MA), in recent decades new acupuncture modalities such as electroacupuncture (EA) 1,2 and transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulation (TEAS) 3 have gained in popularity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects and mechanism of action of transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulation in patients with abnormal semen parameters

Sha

Zhou

et al. 2019

Objective: To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulation (TEAS) on sperm parameters and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: A total of 121 patients diagnosed with oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia or oligoasthenozoospermia were randomised into four groups (three treatment groups, one control): the TEAS groups were treated with 2 Hz (n=31), 100 Hz (n=31), or mock stimulation (n=29) at acupuncture points BL23, ST36, CV1 and CV4 for 2 months. The control group (n=30) was provided with lifestyle advice only. Results The changes in total sperm count and motility in the 2 Hz TEAS group were significantly greater than those in the mock group and the control group. The change in neutral α-glucosidase (NAG) and zinc levels in the 2 Hz group were significantly greater than those in the mock group and control group, and the changes in fructose levels of the 2 Hz group were significantly greater than those in the control group. Significant increases in calcium and integrin-binding protein 1 (CIB1) and reduction of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 b (CDK1) were also found after 2 Hz TEAS treatment. Conclusions The present findings suggest that 2 Hz TEAS can improve sperm count and motility in patients with abnormal semen parameters, and is associated with increases in seminal plasma zinc, NAG and fructose. The upregulation of CIB1 and downregulation of CDK1 by TEAS may be associated with its positive effects on sperm motility and count. Trial registration: http://www.chictr.org ; registration no. ChiCTR-TRC-11001775.