Artiklar

In vitro fertilization and acupuncture: clinical efficacy and mechanistic basis. 

Anderson, B. J., Haimovici, F., Ginsburg, E. S., Schust, D. J., & Wayne, P. M. (2007).
Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 13(3), 38–48.

Abstract

To provide an overview of the use of acupuncture as an adjunct therapy for in vitro fertilization (IVF), including an evidence-based evaluation of its efficacy and safety and an examination of possible mechanisms of action. Literature review using PubMed, the Science Citation Index, The Cochrane Library (Database of Systematic Reviews and Central Register of Controlled Trials), the New England School of Acupuncture library databases, and a cross-referencing of published data, personal libraries, and Chinese medicine textbooks. Limited but supportive evidence from clinical trials and case series suggests that acupuncture may improve the success rate of IVF and the quality of life of patients undergoing IVF and that it is a safe adjunct therapy. However, this conclusion should be interpreted with caution because most studies reviewed had design limitations, and the acupuncture interventions employed often were not consistent with traditional Chinese medical principles. The reviewed literature suggests 4 possible mechanisms by which acupuncture could improve the outcome of IVF: modulating neuroendocrinological factors; increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries; modulating cytokines; and reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. More high-quality randomized, controlled trials incorporating placebo acupuncture controls, authentic acupuncture interventions, and a range of outcome measures representative of both clinical outcomes and putative mechanistic processes are required to better assess the efficacy of acupuncture as an adjunct for IVF.
Länk: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6317601_In_vitro_fertilization_and_acupuncture_Clinical_efficacy_and_mechanistic_basis

Acupuncture for Female Infertility: Discussion on Action Mechanism and Application.

Xu, J. Y., Zhao, A. L., Xin, P., Geng, J. Z., Wang, B. J., & Xia, T. (2022).
Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2022, 3854117.

Abstract

A higher incidence of female infertility has been reported with an unexpectedly early appearance in recent years. The female infertility treatment and application of assisted reproductive technology have recently gained immense interest from scientists. Many studies have discussed the beneficial effects of acupuncture on female infertility. With advancements in science and medical technology, acupuncture-related research has increased in investigating its effectiveness in treating female infertility. This review focuses on a compilation of research in recent years on acupuncture for female infertility treatment and the exploration of the underlying mechanism. For this purpose, literature was searched using various search engines like PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The search was refined by only focusing on recent studies on acupuncture effectiveness and mechanism in female infertility and evaluating pregnancy outcomes.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3854117
Länk: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9273356/

Acupuncture combined with gonadotropin‑releasing hormone agonists improves endometrial receptivity and pregnancy outcome in patients with recurrent implantation failure of in vitro fertilization‑embryo transfer

Jingya Yang, Yan Lu, Yuan Zhang, Cuijuan Zhou, Qin Liang, Ting Liang
Received: 11 March 2024 / Accepted: 7 May 2024
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024

Abstract
Objective Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa), combined with other auxiliary treatments, can improve
pregnancy outcomes in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). This research investigated the effect of acupuncture
combined with GnRHa in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) of IVF-ET.
Methods A total of 164 patients who intended to undergo frozen-thawed embryo transfer after RIF of IVF-ET were selected
for experiments and then divided into the control (received conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for endometrial preparation) and study groups (received a combination of acupuncture, GnRHa, and HRT for endometrial preparation)
(n = 82). Endometrial thickness (EMT), endometrial morphological classification, submucosal uterine blood flow classification, clinical pregnancy rate, embryo implantation rate, and early abortion rate for each transfer cycle were compared
between the two groups.
Results EMT of the study group was higher than that of the control group 1 day before transfer. There were more patients
with linear endometrium (A + B type) in the study group on the day of endometrial transformation than in the control group.
The number of patients with type I submucosal uterine blood flow in the study group was decreased and the number of
patients with type III was increased compared with the control group on the day of endometrial transformation. The clinical
pregnancy rate and embryo implantation rate of the study group were higher than those of the control group.
Conclusion Acupuncture combined with GnRHa improves the endometrial receptivity of patients with RIF of IVF-ET,
thereby increasing clinical pregnancy rates and improving pregnancy outcomes.
Länk: https://usercontent.one/wp/akupunkturforbundet.se/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024_Acup_IVF_Study.pdf?media=1738490817

Point of Influence: What is the Role of Acupuncture in In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes?

Mechanisms of Acupuncture Therapy in Ischemic Stroke Rehabilitation: A Literature Review of Basic Studies

Neuroimaging.BAsed Scalp Acupuncture Locations för Dementia.

Jin Cao , Yiting Huang , Nathaniel Meshberg, Sierra A. Hodges and Jian Kong

Abstract

Scalp acupuncture is a modality of acupuncture in which acupuncture needles are inserted
into a certain layer of the scalp in order to affect the function of corresponding areas of the cerebral cortex
and relieve symptoms. Clinical studies have demonstrated the potential of scalp acupuncture as a
non-pharmacological treatment for dementia. Unfortunately, recent findings from brain neuroimaging
studies on dementia have not been incorporated into scalp acupuncture. This study aims to integrate
meta-analysis, resting-state functional connectivity, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to identify
potential locations of scalp acupuncture for treatment of dementia. We found that the prefrontal
cortex, the medial prefrontal cortex, the middle and superior temporal gyrus, the temporal pole,
the supplementary motor area, the inferior occipital gyrus, and the precuneus are involved in the
pathophysiology of dementia and, therefore, may be the target areas of scalp acupuncture for dementia
treatment. The neuroimaging-based scalp acupuncture protocol developed in this study may help to
refine the locations for the treatment of dementia. Integrating multidisciplinary methods to identify
key surface cortical areas associated with a certain disorder may shed light on the development
of scalp acupuncture and other neuromodulation methods such as transcranial electrical current
stimulation, particularly in the domain of identifying stimulation locations
Länk: Neuroimaging-Based Scalp Acupuncture Locations for Dementia

Barriers to Acupuncture Use Among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Ting Bao 1, Qing Li 1, Janice L DeRito 1, Christina Seluzicki 1, Eun-Ok Im 2, Jun Mao 1

DOI: 10.1177/1534735418754309

Abstract

Introduction: Increasing evidence suggests that acupuncture may be helpful to manage common symptoms and treatment side effects among breast cancer (BC) survivors. Acupuncture usage among BC survivors remains low with little known about the barriers to its utilization. We evaluated perceived barriers to acupuncture use among BC survivors and explored the sociodemographic variations of such barriers. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis at an urban academic cancer center on 593 postmenopausal women with a history of stage I-III hormone receptor-positive BC who were taking or had taken an aromatase inhibitor. We used the modified Attitudes and Beliefs about Complementary and Alternative Medicine instrument to evaluate patients’ perceived barriers to acupuncture. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine sociodemographic factors associated with perceived barrier scores. Results: The most common barriers were lack of knowledge about acupuncture (41.6%), concern for lack of insurance coverage (25.0%), cost (22.3%), and difficulty finding qualified acupuncturists (18.6%). Compared with whites, minority patients had higher perceived barriers to use acupuncture (β coefficient = 1.63, 95% confidence interval = 0.3-2.9, P = .013). Patients with lower education had higher barriers to use acupuncture (β coefficient = 4.23, 95% confidence interval = 3.0-5.4, P < .001) compared with patients with college education or above. Conclusion: Lack of knowledge and concerns for insurance coverage and cost are the common barriers to acupuncture use among BC survivors, especially among minority patients with lower education. Addressing these barriers may lead to more equitable access to acupuncture treatment for BC survivors from diverse backgrounds.

Länk: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6142082/

Reducing Hot Flashes in Patients with Breast Cancer Using Acupuncture

Lu W et al. Acupuncture for hot flashes in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: A pooled analysis of individual patient data from parallel randomized trials. Cancer. 2024;DOI:10.1002/cncr.35374.  

Länk: European Medical Journal

Acupuncture for chronic pain: update of an individual patient data meta-analysis

An Acupuncture Protocol for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Delphi Process

Abstract

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a widespread disorder, and the worldwide incidence is rapidly increasing. Acupuncture, an intervention out of the spectrum of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has a long tradition as treatment for ED. Nonetheless, a best-practice treatment protocol is currently missing. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed a huge diversity of acupuncture treatments for ED and concluded that there is an urgent need to standardise acupuncture treatment for ED. Consequently, the authors conducted a Delphi process with the aim to achieve an expert consensus as a basis for the development of a best-practice protocol.

Methods: The Delphi process consisted of four rounds of questionnaires with closed and open-ended questions. Eleven acupuncture experts participated. The therapeutic aim was defined as “to achieve an erection sufficient for sexual satisfaction.”

Results: Consensus was achieved on 24 acupoints corresponding to 12 TCM syndromes. The syndromes were KI Yang xu, KI Yin xu, KI Qi xu, Ki and HT not harmonised, LR Qi Stagnation, LR Qi stagnation and Heat, Liver Blood xu, Liver Blood xu and Liver Qi stagnation, Damp-heat sinking to the lower Jiao5, HT and GB Qi xu, SP xu and HT Blood xu, Yin xu. The suggested optimal dose was between 11 and 15 treatments given once or twice a week.

Conclusion: An expert consensus-based, semi-standardised best-practice treatment protocol for the treatment of ED was developed. Moreover, the Delphi process also revealed inconsistencies as to which signs and symptoms constitute a TCM syndrome. Further Delphi studies including a broader range of experts from various acupuncture traditions are needed to establish further agreement. Nonetheless, the best-practice protocol introduced in this study provides a first point of departure for the implementation of a more standardised treatment approach. Moreover, since a recent meta-analysis concluded that more high-quality clinical studies on the topic are needed, this study provides a first standardised acupuncture treatment protocol for ED.

https://karger.com/cmr/article/31/4/327/906209/An-Acupuncture-Protocol-for-the-Treatment-of