Effect of acupuncture pretreatment on clinical pregnancy rate in women with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing IVF-ET: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Researchers are studying whether acupuncture can help women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) improve their chances of pregnancy through IVF. DOR means having fewer eggs available, which typically reduces pregnancy success rates during fertility treatment. This large study involves 300 women across multiple centers who will receive either real acupuncture or placebo acupuncture (a fake treatment that looks similar but doesn't use actual acupuncture points). The treatment begins two menstrual cycles before starting IVF and continues until egg retrieval. This is a study protocol, meaning the researchers are announcing their planned research design but haven't yet published results. They will track pregnancy rates, egg quality, hormone levels, and other fertility markers to see if acupuncture makes a difference. The study also measures anxiety levels, since stress can affect fertility outcomes. Secondary outcomes include the number of mature eggs retrieved, fertilization success, embryo quality, and ultimately whether pregnancies result in live births. The researchers designed this as a placebo-controlled trial, which is the gold standard for determining whether a treatment truly works. Once completed, this study should provide clearer evidence about whether acupuncture can benefit women with DOR undergoing IVF. If you're considering acupuncture for fertility support, consult with a licensed acupuncturist experienced in reproductive health.

This multicenter RCT protocol describes a planned study of 300 women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) undergoing IVF-ET, randomized 1:1 to acupuncture versus placebo acupuncture. Treatment will span from two menstrual cycles pre-IVF through oocyte retrieval. The primary endpoint is clinical pregnancy rate following first embryo transfer. Secondary outcomes encompass comprehensive IVF-ET metrics including follicle count (≥14mm), E2 levels, endometrial thickness at hCG administration, oocyte yield (total, MII, 2PN), fertilization rates, embryo quality, implantation rate, and live birth rate. Ovarian reserve markers (AFC, FSH, LH, E2, AMH) and SAS scores will be assessed. This placebo-controlled design addresses current evidence gaps regarding acupuncture efficacy for DOR. No results are yet available as this is a protocol publication. The study received ethics approval and will provide high-quality evidence for acupuncture's role in optimizing IVF outcomes in DOR patients.