- Email: [email protected]
Acupuncture Improves In-Vitro Pregnancy Rates
INFOPOEMS
17.9% vs 36.7%; and citalopram plus buspirone, 9.2% vs 39.2%).
Setting Various (meta-analysis)
Reference
Synopsis To perform this meta-analysis, the researchers searched four databases, including the Cochrane Library and the Chinese Biomedical Database, to find randomized controlled trials that compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture or no adjuvant treatment. They also scanned conference proceedings and reference lists of identified research articles (three studies included in this review were published only in abstract form, although additional information was obtained from the researchers). The authors identified seven studies evaluating the role of acupuncture on achieving pregnancy following in-vitro fertilization in 1,366 women (740 who received acupuncture). Five of these studies also reported the rates of ongoing pregnancy beyond 12 weeks, and four studies reported live births. Two authors independently selected articles and extracted the data. Their analysis was by intention to treat; that is, the authors included results from women who began the in-vitro fertilization process but did not have embryo transfer. The quality of the individual studies was high. There was no evidence of publication bias.
Fava M, Rush AJ, Alpert JE, et al. Difference in treatment outcome in outpatients with anxious versus nonanxious depression: A STAR*D report. Am J Psychiatry. 2008;165(3):342-351.
Acupuncture Improves In-Vitro Pregnancy Rates Clinical Question In women undergoing in-vitro fertilization, can acupuncture increase pregnancy and live birth rates? Bottom Line Acupuncture administered immediately before and after transfer can increase the rate of clinical pregnancy in women receiving in-vitro fertilization. For every 10 women who received acupuncture, one additional pregnancy occurred (number needed to treat=10). (LOE = 1a-) Study Design Meta-analysis (randomized controlled trials) Funding Government
All included studies evaluated acupuncture treatment that was administered within a day of embryo transfer and within three days following transfer, although all but one study performed acupuncture immediately before and immediately after transfer. All but one of the studies used the same acupuncture points. The rate of pregnancy in the control groups varied by country; countries vary in the number of embryos that can be transferred and whether highquality embryos can be selected. Achievement of pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy beyond 12 weeks and live births were all increased in the acupuncture group. The rate of clinical pregnancy was 32% in the acupuncture group and 27% in the control group (odds ratio=1.91; 95% CI: 1.39–2.64). Using pooled data, one additional clinical pregnancy occurred for every 10 women (95% CI: 7–17) who received acupuncture rather than sham acupuncture or other control treatment.
Reference
Manheimer E, Zhang G, Udoff L, et al. Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2008;336(7643):545-549.
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VOL. 100, NO. 7, JULY 2008 871
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There’s a wonderful world around us. Full of fascinating places. Interesting people. Amazing cultures. Important challenges. But sadly, our kids are not getting the chance to learn about their world. When surveys show that half of America’s youth cannot locate India or Iraq on a map, then we have to wonder what they do know about their world. That’s why we created MyWonderfulWorld.org. It’s part of a free National Geographic-led campaign to give your kids the power of global knowledge. Go there today and help them succeed tomorrow. Start with our free parent and teacher action kits. And let your kids begin the adventure of a lifetime. It’s a wonderful world. Explore!
We are not alone. A National Geographic-led campaign
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Keeping Military Families
Connected
THROUGH OUR WORLDWIDE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK, the American Red Cross keeps military service members and their families connected during times of personal crisis. We offer emergency communication and social services when you and your family need it most. Your financial support makes this lifesaving assistance possible. For more information about our services to support members of the military worldwide, or to learn how you can help, please call your local American Red Cross chapter, the Red Cross office on your military installation, or visit www.redcross.org.
878 JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
VOL. 100, NO. 7, JULY 2008
17.9% vs 36.7%; and citalopram plus buspirone, 9.2% vs 39.2%).
Setting Various (meta-analysis)
Reference
Synopsis To perform this meta-analysis, the researchers searched four databases, including the Cochrane Library and the Chinese Biomedical Database, to find randomized controlled trials that compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture or no adjuvant treatment. They also scanned conference proceedings and reference lists of identified research articles (three studies included in this review were published only in abstract form, although additional information was obtained from the researchers). The authors identified seven studies evaluating the role of acupuncture on achieving pregnancy following in-vitro fertilization in 1,366 women (740 who received acupuncture). Five of these studies also reported the rates of ongoing pregnancy beyond 12 weeks, and four studies reported live births. Two authors independently selected articles and extracted the data. Their analysis was by intention to treat; that is, the authors included results from women who began the in-vitro fertilization process but did not have embryo transfer. The quality of the individual studies was high. There was no evidence of publication bias.
Fava M, Rush AJ, Alpert JE, et al. Difference in treatment outcome in outpatients with anxious versus nonanxious depression: A STAR*D report. Am J Psychiatry. 2008;165(3):342-351.
Acupuncture Improves In-Vitro Pregnancy Rates Clinical Question In women undergoing in-vitro fertilization, can acupuncture increase pregnancy and live birth rates? Bottom Line Acupuncture administered immediately before and after transfer can increase the rate of clinical pregnancy in women receiving in-vitro fertilization. For every 10 women who received acupuncture, one additional pregnancy occurred (number needed to treat=10). (LOE = 1a-) Study Design Meta-analysis (randomized controlled trials) Funding Government
All included studies evaluated acupuncture treatment that was administered within a day of embryo transfer and within three days following transfer, although all but one study performed acupuncture immediately before and immediately after transfer. All but one of the studies used the same acupuncture points. The rate of pregnancy in the control groups varied by country; countries vary in the number of embryos that can be transferred and whether highquality embryos can be selected. Achievement of pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy beyond 12 weeks and live births were all increased in the acupuncture group. The rate of clinical pregnancy was 32% in the acupuncture group and 27% in the control group (odds ratio=1.91; 95% CI: 1.39–2.64). Using pooled data, one additional clinical pregnancy occurred for every 10 women (95% CI: 7–17) who received acupuncture rather than sham acupuncture or other control treatment.
Reference
Manheimer E, Zhang G, Udoff L, et al. Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2008;336(7643):545-549.
We Welcome Your Comments
To photocopy, e-mail, post on Internet or distribute this or any part of JNMA, please visit www.copyright.com.
JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
The Journal of the National Medical Association welcomes your Letters to the Editor about articles that appear in the JNMA or issues relevant to minority healthcare. Address correspondence to [email protected].
VOL. 100, NO. 7, JULY 2008 871
c
a
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p
p
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e
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There’s a wonderful world around us. Full of fascinating places. Interesting people. Amazing cultures. Important challenges. But sadly, our kids are not getting the chance to learn about their world. When surveys show that half of America’s youth cannot locate India or Iraq on a map, then we have to wonder what they do know about their world. That’s why we created MyWonderfulWorld.org. It’s part of a free National Geographic-led campaign to give your kids the power of global knowledge. Go there today and help them succeed tomorrow. Start with our free parent and teacher action kits. And let your kids begin the adventure of a lifetime. It’s a wonderful world. Explore!
We are not alone. A National Geographic-led campaign
872 JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
VOL. 100, NO. 7, JULY 2008
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▲
*OB 3EEKERS 9OUR CAREER SATISFACTION IS IMPOR TANT AND .-! WILL BE THERE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY TO HELP YOU REACH YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS s /NLINE MANAGEMENT OF POSTED RESUMES s !CCESS TO JOB POSTINGS s &2%% OF CHARGE
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JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
VOL. 100, NO. 7, JULY 2008 875
876 JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
VOL. 100, NO. 7, JULY 2008
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a
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p
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u
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Keeping Military Families
Connected
THROUGH OUR WORLDWIDE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK, the American Red Cross keeps military service members and their families connected during times of personal crisis. We offer emergency communication and social services when you and your family need it most. Your financial support makes this lifesaving assistance possible. For more information about our services to support members of the military worldwide, or to learn how you can help, please call your local American Red Cross chapter, the Red Cross office on your military installation, or visit www.redcross.org.
878 JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
VOL. 100, NO. 7, JULY 2008