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Female infertility

Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysis

Conclusions Current preliminary evidence suggests that acupuncture given with embryo transfer improves rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation.

BMJ published online 7 Feb 2008;

doi:10.1136/bmj.39471.430451.BE 
Effects of Acupuncture on LIF and IL-12 in Rats of Implantation Failure

Conclusion: According to the study, Acupuncture could improve the poor receptive state of endometrium by promoting LIF and IL-12 secretion to improve blastocyst implantation.

Gui, Juan; Xiong, Fan; Li, Jing; Huang, Guangying. Effects of Acupuncture on LIF and IL-12 in Rats of Implantation Failure. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. Am J Reprod Immunol. 1600-0897. 2012.
Effect of acupuncture on symptoms of anxiety in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: a prospective randomised controlled study.

Conclusions: 
The results indicate that acupuncture can reduce anxiety symptoms observed by the reduction of psychological parameters of women undergoing IVF. Further evidence should be sought as to whether acupuncture might be a complementary option for patients undergoing IVF.

 Authors: Daniela Isoyama, Emerson Barchi Cordts, Angela Mara Bentes de Souza van Niewegen, Waldemar de Almeida Pereira de Carvalho, Simone Tiemi Matsumura, Caio Parente Barbosa
-Acupuncture in medicine : journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society
Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study

Conclusions: The results of this study support the significance of acupuncture for the outcome of IVF/ICSI. Even if further evidence has to be accumulated, acupuncture might be a complementary option for patients undergoing IVF/ICSI.

Fertility and Sterility Volume 85, Issue 5, Pages 1347-1351 (May 2006) Stefan Dieterle, M.D., Gao Ying, M.D., Wolfgang Hatzmann, M.D., Andreas Neuer, M.D.

 
Eastern Approaches for Enhancing Women’s Sexuality: Mindfulness, Acupuncture, and Yoga

Conclusions. The empirical literature supporting Eastern techniques, such as mindfulness, acupuncture, and yoga, for women’s sexual complaints and loss of satisfaction is sparse but promising. Future research should aim to empirically support Eastern techniques in women’s sexuality. Brotto LA, Krychman M, and Jacobson P. Eastern approaches for enhancing women’s sexuality: Mindfulness, acupuncture, and yoga. J Sex Med 2008;5:2741–2748. 

 Lori A. Brotto, PhD,* Michael Krychman, MD,† and Pamela Jacobson, LAc, Dipl OM‡

 

Male infertility

Does acupuncture treatment affect sperm density in males with very low sperm count? A pilot study.

It is concluded that acupuncture may be a useful, nontraumatic treatment for males with very poor sperm density, especially those with a history of genital tract inflammation.

Siterman S, Eltes F, Wolfson V, Lederman H, Bartoov B.
Source: Institute of Chinese Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Can Walnuts Boost Male Fertility?

 By Dr. Carmelo Sgarlata

In a recent article in the journal Biology of Reproduction, healthy young men exhibited a small but statistically significant improvement in sperm health after adding walnuts to their diet.

Conclusions
The authors conclude that walnuts improved sperm development and function. Walnuts were also associated with increases in omega-3 ALA and omega-6 fatty acids. While walnuts appear to improve sperm function and development, it is not currently known if walnuts will help improve male fertility and improve birth outcomes. Further research is required.
Soy food and isoflavone intake in relation to semen quality parameters among men from an infertility clinic

Conclusions: These data suggest that higher intake of soy foods and soy isoflavones is associated with lower sperm concentration.

Jorge E. Chavarro, Thomas L. Toth, Sonita M. Sadio and Russ Hauser
Quantitative evaluation of spermatozoa ultrastructure after acupuncture treatment for idiopathic male infertility

Conclusions: The treatment of idiopathic male infertility could benefit from employing acupuncture. A general
improvement of sperm quality, specifically in the ultrastructural integrity of spermatozoa, was seen after
acupuncture.

Jian Pei, Ph.D.,a,b Erwin Strehler, M.D.,b Ulrich Noss, M.D.,c Markus Abt, Ph.D.,d
Paola Piomboni, Ph.D.,e Baccio Baccetti, Ph.D.,e and Karl Sterzik, M.D.b

 
Effects of glycol ethers on male fertility

Conclusions: Glycol ether exposure was related to low motile sperm count in men attending fertility clinics. This suggests that, at the time of the study, glycol ethers continued to be a hazard for male fertility. 

Nicola Cherry, Harry Moore, Roseanne McNamee, Allan Pacey, Gary Burgess, Julie-Ann Clyma, Martin Dippnall, Helen Baillie, Andrew Povey

Pregnancy

Effect of TCM on plasma beta-endorphin and placental endocrine in threatened abortion

Conclusions: The authors concluded that Chinese herbal Medicine can regulate plasma beta-EP and placental endocrine function in threatened abortion in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage.

Sun F, Yu J. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1999 Feb; 19 (2):87-9.
Effectiveness of Acupuncture for the Initiation of Labour at Term

Conclusions: The interesting results of this pilot trial warrant further investigation into the use of acupuncture for the initiation of labour in women at term.

Gaudet et al, J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2008;30(12):1118–1123
Duration and exclusiveness of breastfeeding and childhood asthma-related symptoms.

Compared to children who were breastfed for 6 months, those who were never breastfed had overall increased risks of wheezing, shortness of breath, dry cough and persistent phlegm during the first four years.

Sonnenschein-van der Voort AM, Jaddoe VV, van der Valk RJ, Willemsen SP, Hofman A, Moll HA, de Jongste JC, Duijts L.Source: Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam The Netherlands.
Acupuncture treatment as breastfeeding support: preliminary data.

Conclusions:
Such preliminary data suggest that 3 weeks of acupuncture treatment were more effective than observation alone in maintaining breastfeeding until the third month of the newborns' lives.

Source: Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy neri.isabella@unimore.it

Acupuncture - Safe, Effective for Late Pregnancy Back Pain

Conclusions: At the end of the study period, 43% of the acupuncture patients were less bothered than initially by pain during activity compared with 9% of control patients. No serious adverse effects of acupuncture were found in the patients, and there were no adverse effects at all in the infants. Acupuncture relieves low-back and pelvic pain without serious adverse effects in late pregnancy.

Kvorning N, et al. Acupuncture relieves pelvic and low-back pain in late pregnancy. Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica 83(3):246-50.

Injuries and pain

Effectiveness of Acupuncture as Adjunctive Therapy in Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Conclusions: Acupuncture seems to provide improvement in function and pain relief as an adjunctive therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee when compared with credible sham acupuncture and education control groups.

Brian M. Berman, MD; Lixing Lao, PhD; Patricia Langenberg, PhD; Wen Lin Lee, PhD; Adele M.K. Gilpin, PhD; and Marc C. Hochberg, MD
Acupuncture versus metoprolol in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized trial of trigger point inactivation.

Conclusions. Trigger point inactivation by dry needling is a valuable supplement to the list of migraine prophylactic tools, being equipotent to metoprolol in the influence on frequency and duration (but not severity) of attacks, and superior in terms of negative side-effects.

Hesse J, Mogelvang B, Simonsen H. Journal of Internal Medicine. 1994; 235: 451-456. 
Acupuncture Relieves Gynecologic Surgery Pain

 Acupuncture reduces post-operative pain following gynecologic and abdominal surgeries. A new study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology concludes that, “Pain control after hospital discharge is suboptimal for many women after both vaginal and abdominal surgery.” The researchers add that there is a need to improve post-operative at-home pain control measures, “Given increasingly rapid hospital discharge….” Acupuncture helps to improve recovery times and improves at-home pain control.
Acupuncture for Migraine and Recurrent Headaches

Conclusions: Acupuncture fared most favorably when compared to sham treatments. Nine of the 14 trials comparing true and sham acupuncture in migraine and tension-type headache patients either "showed trends in favor of acupuncture" or had patients who "did significantly better than those in the sham acupuncture group."
Acupuncture is as effective as low-dose prednisolone for mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.

Conclusions: Short-term acupuncture treatment is as effective as short-term low-dose prednisolone for mild-to-moderate CTS. For those who do have an intolerance or contraindication for oral steroid or for those who do not opt for early surgery, acupuncture treatment provides an alternative choice.

Abstract Source: Clin J Pain. 2009 May;25(4):327-33. PMID: 19590482
Abstract Author(s):Chang MH, Hsieh CL, Hwang KL, Li TC, Wang NH, Yang CP, Yu SC

General Health

A study of a Chinese herbal medicine preparation for moderate to severe menopausal symptoms and quality of life in postmenopausal women

Conclusions: DBT preparations at 6.0 g/day significantly improve physical and psychological scores and significantly reduce vasomotor symptoms from baseline. The treatment was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events noted during the 12-week intervention period. The changes do not affect hormones and lipid profiles.

Wang, Chi Chiu MD, PhD; Cheng, King Fai MD; Lo, Wing Man RN; Law, Cindy BNurs; Li, Lu MD, PhD; Leung, Ping Chung MD; Chung, Tony Kwok Hung MD; Haines, Christopher John MD
Women with PCOS benefited from acupuncture

 Acupuncture and physical activity improved hormone levels and menstrual patterns in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, according to a study conducted by researchers in Sweden.

Jedel E. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2011;300:37-45.
The efficacy of acupuncture in treating urge and mixed incontinence in women: a pilot study

Conclusions:  Subjects randomized to the true acupuncture group had a mean 63.30% (median = 65.99%) reduction in daytime accidents/day at 1 week postacupuncture and 67.47% reduction (median = 75.76%) at 4 weeks postacupuncture. In contrast, the mean reduction in daytime accidents was 18.88% (median = 19.64%) at 1 week and 16.67% (median = 0%) at 4 weeks post-sham acupuncture.

J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2009 Nov-Dec;36(6):661-70. 
 
Depression and Acupuncture: A Controlled Clinical Trial

Conclusions: In this study, based on a small outpatient sample of women with major depression, it appeared that acupuncture provided significant symptom relief at rates comparable to standard treatments such as psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy. The effect sizes observed in this small sample were at least as large or larger than those seen in trials of antidepressant medication or psychotherapy, and they suggest that a larger clinical trial is warranted.

 

by John J.B. Allen, Ph.D.

March 2000, Vol. XVII, Issue 3

 
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Vasomotor Symptoms in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Hormone Suppression Treatment

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that adding acupuncture to breast cancer treatment regimens may establish an integrative approach that is more effective in managing symptoms due to treatment with fewer side effects than conventional pharmacotherapy treatment.

E. M. Walker1, A. I. Rodriguez2, B. Kohn2, J. Pegg1, R. M. Bell2, R. A. Levine2

Breast Cancer

Acupuncture & Massage after Cancer Surgery

Symptom management with massage and acupuncture in postoperative cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial.
Mehling WE, Jacobs B, Acree M, Wilson L, Bostrom A, West J, Acquah J, Burns B, Chapman J, Hecht FM


Source: Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California 94115, USA. mehlingw@ocim.ucsf.edu
Acupuncture Improves Cancer Fatigue

Pilot, randomized, modified, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of acupuncture for cancer-related fatigue.
Balk J, Day R, Rosenzweig M, Beriwal S.

Source Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Acupuncture For Drymouth

CONCLUSIONS:
This study shows that acupuncture treatment results in statistically significant improvements in SFR in patients with xerostomia up to 6 months. It suggests that additional acupuncture therapy can maintain this improvement in SFR for up to 3 years.

Source: Department of Clinical Oral Physiology, School of Dentistry, Karolinska Institute, Box 4064, S-141 04 Huddinge, Sweden.
Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Fatigue

CONCLUSION:
Acupuncture shows great potential in the management of cancer-related fatigue. As a randomised trial with acupuncture is feasible and preliminary data shows significant improvements, it should be tested further using a large sample and a multicentre design.

Source: University of Manchester, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, Coupland III, Coupland Street, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. alex.molassiotis@manchester.ac.uk
Acupuncture & Cancer Pain

CONCLUSION:
The observed reduction in pain intensity measured on the VAS represents a clear benefit from auricular acupuncture for these cancer patients who are in pain, despite stable analgesic treatment.

Source Pain Management Unit, INSERM, U521, Villejuif, France.

Massage

Lower back pain and sleep disturbance are reduced following massage therapy

Conclusion:
By the end of the study, the massage therapy group, as compared to the relaxation group, reported less pain, depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance. They also showed improved trunk and pain flexion performance.

Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Diego, M., & Fraser, M. (2007). Lower back pain and sleep disturbance are reduced following massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapy, 11, 141-145.
Lower back pain and sleep disturbance are reduced following massage therapy

Conclusion:
By the end of the study, the massage therapy group, as compared to the relaxation group, reported less pain, depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance. They also showed improved trunk and pain flexion performance.

 Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Diego, M., & Fraser, M. (2007). Lower back pain and sleep disturbance are reduced following massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapy, 11, 141-145.
Infants are Calmer when Massaged with Oil

 Conclusion:

Infants who receive massage with oil show fewer stress behaviors, have lower cortisol levels and are more relaxed than infants massage without oil, according to a research study.

Source: Touch Research Institute, Research originally published in the Pre- and Perinatal Pyschology Journal, 1996, Winter 11(2).
High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy

 Results:
Sitting diastolic blood pressure decreased after the first and last massage therapy sessions and reclining diastolic blood pressure decreased from the first to the last day of the study. Although both groups reported less anxiety, only the massage therapy group reported less depression and hostility and showed decreased cortisol.

Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor, J. & Theakston, H.(2000). High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 4, 31-38.
High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy

Results:
Sitting diastolic blood pressure decreased after the first and last massage therapy sessions and reclining diastolic blood pressure decreased from the first to the last day of the study. Although both groups reported less anxiety, only the massage therapy group reported less depression and hostility and showed decreased cortisol.

Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor, J. & Theakston, H.(2000). High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 4, 31-38.
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