The Impact of Acupuncture on IVF - Essay Example

Does Acupuncture Have Any Measurable Impact on Orthodox IVF Procedure? Acupuncture has recently emerged as a medically viable means of increasing the rate of success in In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedures. Some studies have shown that acupuncture significantly affects and increases the levels of pituitary and ovarian hormones. Blood flow to the uterine and ovarian arteries have also been increased by acupuncture procedures. The medical community has been divided about the impact of acupuncture on orthodox IVF procedures. Some do not think that it has considerable effect on IVF procedures, some others believe and place much stock on the benefits of the procedure for IVF patients. Many studies have been conducted proving and supporting either side of the issue, and neither side has come up with definitive proof to tip the balance to their side of the argument. This study presents some researches done discussing the impact of acupuncture on orthodox IVF procedure, and assesses whether the impact is considerable in favour of IVF procedures. The articles below were chosen because of their objective and comprehensive coverage of the topic at hand. These studies would be relevant in coming up with objective data about the benefits (or lack thereof) of acupuncture in IVF procedures. It will help practitioners be more confident in speaking about acupuncture with their patients. It will also help patients understand why acupuncture may or may not help their pregnancy, and how important it is for them to not fully rely on acupuncture as a beneficial course of action to benefit their pregnancy. Many supporters of acupuncture claim that the procedure has yielded many benefits and advantages for some mothers who have undergone IVF treatment. A team from the University of Maryland School of Medicine reviewed medical studies and reports discussing acupuncture use in IVF procedures. Their review rejected more than 100 studies and retained seven studies supporting the benefits of acupuncture in IVF procedures. One of these studies was published by the British Medical Journal which “showed a 65 per cent increase in establishment of pregnancy, an 87 per cent increase in continuing pregnancy, and a 91 per cent increase in live births” (Hawkes, 2008). The study stressed that acupuncture helps regulate the menstrual cycle, improves blood flow to the womb, and produces mood hormones that minimize the stress response to IVF. This study claimed that, through increased blood flow to the uterine area, the chances for implantation of the embryo are greatly improved. As a result, women going through acupuncture treatment usually have a greater chance of having a successful implantation as compared to women who did not undergo acupuncture before implantation. A small trial was conducted involving 1366 women—with some receiving acupuncture, others receiving no acupuncture, and the rest undergoing sham acupuncture. The study revealed that the “embryo transfer with acupuncture was associated with a higher likelihood of clinical pregnancy (odds ratio, 1.65)…”(Rebar, 2008). Pregnancy was successful for 32% of those who had acupuncture and 26.7% of those who did not undergo acupuncture (Lucas & Jones, 2008). However, this significant result was reduced as the sample population was increased. Therefore, the results of this study are unreliable and not representative of a larger population. Studies compiled by reproductive health specialist, Dr. Randy Morris (2008) showed that acupuncture did not have a considerable impact on IVF procedures. One study covering 164 patients showed that acupuncture did not minimize uterine contractions. In IVF procedures, uterine contractions can expel the transferred embryos, and reduce the success of the procedure. The study revealed that acupuncture did not reduce these contractions, therefore, did not affect the success or failure of the procedure. Also, the embryos are usually implanted into the uterus two to five days after embryo transfer. “It is unknown whether the effect of acupuncture performed on the day [of the] embryo transfer would last until the day of embryo implantation or longer” (Morris, 2008). Consequently, it cannot be clearly said that the success or failure of the IVF implantation is due to the acupuncture procedure performed or is attributable to other factors. Some studies which claim that acupuncture has considerable impact on IVF procedures have been criticized as inaccurate because of methodological problems in the conduct of research. In some researches, the placebo-effect has not been controlled or considered, and in other studies, the sample size has been too small to conclusively be representative of a larger population. A clinical trial apparently revealed that acupuncture has a measurable impact on orthodox IVF procedures. “It appears that there is some improvement in the outcome, but the question needs to be further studied in appropriately sized, well-designed, and, most important, placebo-controlled trials” (Kovacs, 2006). The validity and reliability of these clinical trials need to be ensured first before their conclusions and recommendations can be fully supported and implemented. The clinical trial revealing that acupuncture increased pregnancy rate by 65% is unreliable because in interpreting success rate, it should be emphasized that the differences in the rates as shown in the study were not significant. “An interpretation of the 65% benefit quoted by the papers must be considered in light of the fact that they represent relatively small absolute benefits considering that the rates of pregnancy in the non-acupuncture groups were high” (Medical News Today, 2008). The results of the clinical study cannot be used as a reliable basis to support acupuncture for IVF procedures. Many doctors and clinicians stress that if people feel that acupuncture will help the implantation process, they should not be discouraged from opting for the procedure. However, they should also understand that the acupuncture will not make a difference to the outcome of the procedure. There is no firm established evidence to prove that acupuncture works. Researches have not been supported by enough successful cases to prove that acupuncture helps IVF procedures. Professor Peter Braude (2008), with the King’s College in London said, “[m]y expectation is that the apparently significant effect in the placebo group is best explained by a numbers game: add more patients to the study, and it will probably disappear”. Before acupuncture can earn widespread support from patients and practitioners, these numbers have to reach reliable numbers and valid success rates. The studies and various reports presented above present a glimpse into the two sides of the issue set forth at the beginning of this paper. Some studies have shown that acupuncture impacts greatly on orthodox IVF procedures. Comparing it with women who underwent acupuncture before implantation, versus women who did not undergo acupuncture, the former presented better and more successful implantation. The main criticism by opponents of acupuncture in IVF procedures is the fact that there are no sufficient reliable figures and numbers to support a good success rate for IVF patients undergoing acupuncture before implantation. The unwritten rules of medical research still remain, there is a need for firm evidence and proof before a practice can be widely supported and adapted. The numbers say it clearly--acupuncture does not have a measurable impact on orthodox IVF procedures. However, it is important to note that, for women who have a difficult time getting pregnant, the little help that they can get in increasing the chances for implantation is a precious window of opportunity that they would gladly embrace. Many women who have a hard time getting pregnant are fully aware that acupuncture may or may not help them, but in the off chance that it does, then they would try it just to see what happens. And the fact that acupuncture does not have a widespread support from the medical community would not deter them from taking their chances with the procedure. Works Cited Acupuncture and IVF, 17 March 2008, IVF 1, viewed 05 December 2008 from http://www.ivf1.com/acupuncture-ivf/ Acupuncture and Success of IVF, 11 February 2008, Medical News Today, viewed 06 December 2008 from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/96762.php Editorial Staff, July, 2002, Acupuncture May Improve Success Rate of Test-Tube Pregnancies, Acupuncture Today, viewed 06 December 2008 from http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/archives2002/jul/07ivf.html Hawkes, N., 08 February 2008, Course of Acupuncture May Raise Success of IVF Treatment by 65%, Times Online, viewed 06 December 2008 from http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article3327648.ece Kovacs, P. 05 July 2006, Viewpoint: Does Acupuncture after IVF Affect Pregnancy Rate?, Medscape, viewed 06 December 2008 from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/536996 Lucas, L. & Jones, P., April 2008, Adjunctive Acupuncture Improves Pregnancy Rates in Women Having IVF, Carl R. Darball Army Medical Center Health Library, viewed 06 December 2008 from https://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=283358 Rebar, R. 04 March 2008, Acupuncture with IVF Might Improve Pregnancy Rates, Journal Watch General Medicine, viewed 06 December 2008 from http://general-medicine.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/2008/304/1 Smith, R. 12 November 2008, Acupuncture during IVF Treatment ‘Does not Increase Chances of Successful Pregnancy’, Telegraph,Co.UK, viewed 06 December 2008 from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/3445835/Acupuncture-during-IVF-treatment-does-not-increase-chances-of-successful-pregnancy.html Read More