Acupuncture linked to increased IVF success

Women who receive acupuncture while undergoing IVF treatment may increase their chances of successful treatment, a new study suggests.

Scientists from the Netherlands and the US have revealed new research that, for every ten IVF cycles with acupuncture, the data showed that an extra successful pregnancy was achieved.

Seven trials involving 1,366 women were conducted for the study by researchers at VU University in Amsterdam and the University of Maryland School of Medicine, which was published in the British Medical Journal.

However, there has been some scepticism regarding the reliability of acupuncture trials.

Commenting on the findings, Professor Edzard Ernst, from the Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth said: "On the face of it, these results sound fantastic. I would, however, be very cautious as much of the observed effect could be due to a placebo response.

"IVF may not seem to be "placebo-prone" but it probably is: if women expect it to be helpful they are more relaxed which, in turn, would affect pregnancy rates."

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