The Role of a Standardised Two-session Peri-transfer Acupuncture Protocol in Frozen Embryo Transfer for Women with Recurrent Implantation Failure: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Abstract

Background: Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) remains a major challenge in assisted reproductive technology. Acupuncture has been used as a complementary therapy to improve pregnancy outcomes, but its efficacy in women with RIF remains uncertain.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether a standardised two-session peri-transfer acupuncture protocol, compared with no acupuncture, is associated with improved live birth rate in women with RIF undergoing frozen embryo transfer (FET). Clinical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy were secondary outcomes.

Settings and design: This retrospective cohort study used medical records from Hung Vuong Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, between January 2019 and December 2023.

Materials and methods: Data from 2586 women were reviewed. Women aged 18-45 years with at least three failed embryo transfers involving good-quality embryos were eligible. Donor cycles, surrogacy cycles, pre-implantation genetic testing cycles and abnormal uterine conditions were excluded. Participants were classified into acupuncture and non-acupuncture groups according to treatment choice. All underwent blastocyst-stage FET.

Statistical analysis used: Continuous variables were compared using the independent t-test and categorical variables using the Chi-square test. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals.

Results: A total of 1969 women were included: 1110 in the acupuncture group and 859 in the non-acupuncture group. Clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates were comparable between the groups, with AORs of 0.97, 0.95 and 0.91, respectively.

Conclusions: This standardised two-session peri-transfer acupuncture protocol was not associated with improved reproductive outcomes in women with RIF undergoing FET.