REVIEW article
Front. Endocrinol.
Sec. Reproduction
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fendo.2025.1602710
Different effectiveness of acupuncture treatment schedule on ART pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Provisionally accepted
- 1Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- 2Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Background: Acupuncture shows potential in enhancing pregnancy outcomes in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), yet the variability in protocols necessitates identifying optimal strategies.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different acupuncture treatment schedules-specifically the timing, duration, and frequency-on ART pregnancy outcomes, and to identify the most effective strategies.Methods: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials published up to May 2024 was conducted. Studies assessing acupuncture's impact on ART outcomes were included.Primary outcomes were clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate; secondary outcomes included fertilization rate and high-quality embryo rate.Results: Acupuncture significantly improved clinical pregnancy rate (RR 1.26), live birth rate (RR 1.10), fertilization rate (RR 6.64), and high-quality embryo rate (RR 12.67). Ranking analysis indicated the embryo culture period as the most effective treatment timing, followed by the ovarian stimulation and ART preparation periods. Longer treatment durations (≥3 months) and higher session numbers (≥20) yielded superior outcomes.Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of personalized acupuncture protocols to optimize ART success. Tailoring acupuncture protocols based on timing, duration, and frequency may optimize reproductive outcomes in women undergoing ART.
Keywords: Acupuncture, Art, Pregnancy Outcome, Systematic review, Meta-analysis
Received: 30 Mar 2025; Accepted: 21 Aug 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Yang, Chen, Tang, Kuang, Gou and Zhao. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Hong Zhao, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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