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Objective: To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on the pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF) based on the available clinical evidence.
Methods: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, CBM and Wanfang Database up to February 2021 for published randomized controlled trials (RCT) relevant to transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for the improvement of the pregnancy outcomes of IVF. We performed literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, followed by a meta-analysis with the RevMan 5.3 software.
Results: A total of 2 206 cases of IVF from 9 RCTs were included, 1 018 in the transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation group and 1 188 in the control. The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation than in the mock transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation and non-transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation control groups (RR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.42－2.42, P < 0.001; RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.10－1.39, P = 0.0004), and so was it before and after oocyte retrieval (RR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.03－2.17, P = 0.03; RR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.12－1.92, P = 0.005). The transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation group also showed dramatically improved embryo implantation rate (RR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.24－1.79, P < 0.0001) and live birth rate (RR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.04－1.98, P = 0.03) compared with the control.
Conclusions: As a safe and non-invasive treatment, transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation can significantly improve the pregnancy outcomes of IVF, with definite effectiveness.
Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34914260/