A Randomized Sham-controlled Trial of Manual Acupuncture for Infertile Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Overview

Journal Integr Med Res

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2022 Jan 21

PMID 35059289

Authors

Wen Pan

Feng-Xing Li

Qiao Wang

Zou-Qin Huang

Yu-Ming Yan

Ling Zhao

Xue-Yong Shen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex polygenic disease and is one of the most common endocrinological and reproductive disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture combined with herbal medicine among infertile females with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Method: A total of 86 women with PCOS, experiencing infertility, were recruited and randomly assigned to receive either manual acupuncture (MA) or sham acupuncture (SA) twice per week for three menstrual cycles. Both groups received herbal medication. The evaluations were conducted after three menstrual cycles and 24 weeks' follow-up.

Results: The trial was completed by 79 (91.86%) of the 86 randomly selected patients. During this study, the pregnancy rate in the MA group (46.34%) was significantly higher than the SA group (18.42%), with a of 0.008. Moreover, the ovulation rate of the MA group (58.14%) was higher than that of the SA group (45.74%), with a of 0.046. The improvement rate of PCOS score and testosterone level showed a statistical difference between the two groups ( were <0.05). There were no other differences between the two groups. Sex hormones level, including E2, T, P, LH, and LH/FSH were significantly lower after intervention in the MA group ( were <0.05) compared with baseline, while only the progesterone level was reduced in the SA group ( = 0.008).

Conclusion: Manual acupuncture combined with herbal medicine may be clinically useful for infertile women with PCOS in improving pregnancy and ovulation rate.

Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1800014997.

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