Title: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Acupuncture on Pregnancy Outcomes in Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF) Patients Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A Large Cohort Study Objective: This study aims to assess the efficacy of acupuncture in improving pregnancy outcomes, including clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR), and live birth rate (LBR), in patients who have experienced recurrent implantation failure (RIF) during frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Background: Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is a significant challenge in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), affecting approximately 15% of IVF patients. The causes of RIF include uterine factors, embryo quality issues, and immune dysfunctions. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medical practice, has gained interest as an adjunctive treatment in IVF, potentially enhancing uterine blood flow, regulating hormones, and alleviating stress. While previous studies suggest a positive impact of acupuncture on IVF outcomes, its role in patients with RIF remains unclear, particularly in Vietnam, where its integration into modern fertility treatments is emerging. Methods: Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: IVF Department, Hung Vuong Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Participants: 1,969 IVF cycles from RIF-diagnosed patients between January 2019 and December 2023, divided into two groups: those who received acupuncture and those who did not. Interventions: Acupuncture sessions were performed 25 minutes before and after embryo transfer, targeting specific acupoints (e.g., Baihui, Guanyuan, Sanyinjiao). Standardized hormonal protocols (HRT-E+P) and embryology practices were applied uniformly across all participants. Outcome Measures: CPR, OPR, LBR, biochemical pregnancy rates, and miscarriage rates were analyzed. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics summarized baseline characteristics. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between acupuncture and pregnancy outcomes, adjusting for potential confounders such as age, BMI, and number of prior failed cycles. Results (Preliminary): The study hypothesizes that patients receiving acupuncture will demonstrate improved CPR, OPR, and LBR compared to non-acupuncture counterparts. Previous research has suggested a trend toward higher clinical pregnancy rates with acupuncture, but statistical significance and the mechanisms behind these effects require further exploration. Ethical Considerations: Patient data were anonymized, and the study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. Participation was voluntary, with informed consent obtained prior to treatment. Conclusions: This research seeks to provide robust evidence on the integration of acupuncture into fertility treatment protocols for RIF patients, addressing a critical gap in both global and Vietnamese reproductive healthcare. If proven effective, acupuncture could become a valuable complementary therapy in enhancing IVF success rates. This study represents a crucial step toward combining traditional and modern medical practices to improve reproductive outcomes.
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Clinical Pregnancy Rate (CPR)
Timeframe: 6-8 weeks post-embryo transfer.