Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40979715›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in endocrinology2025

Different effectiveness of acupuncture treatment schedule on ART pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Yunhong Yang, Huan Chen, Han Tang, Hongjun Kuang, Yi Gou, Hong Zhao

Abstract readSystematic ReviewNetwork Meta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in endocrinology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Yunhong YangDepartment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shenzhen Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.
Huan ChenInstitute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Han TangDepartment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shenzhen Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.
Hongjun KuangDepartment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shenzhen Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.
Yi GouDepartment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shenzhen Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.
Hong ZhaoDepartment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shenzhen Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Acupuncture shows potential in enhancing pregnancy outcomes in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), yet the variability in protocols necessitates identifying optimal strategies. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different acupuncture treatment schedules-specifically the timing, duration, and frequency-on ART pregnancy outcomes, and to identify the most effective strategies. Methods: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials published up to May 2024 was conducted. Studies assessing acupuncture's impact on ART outcomes were included. Primary outcomes were clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate; secondary outcomes included fertilization rate and high-quality embryo rate. Results: Acupuncture significantly improved clinical pregnancy rate (RR 1.26), live birth rate (RR 1.10), fertilization rate (RR 6.64), and high-quality embryo rate (RR 12.67). Ranking analysis indicated the embryo culture period as the most effective treatment timing, followed by the ovarian stimulation and ART preparation periods. Longer treatment durations (≥3 months) and higher session numbers (≥20) yielded superior outcomes. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of personalized acupuncture protocols to optimize ART success. Tailoring acupuncture protocols based on timing, duration, and frequency may optimize reproductive outcomes in women undergoing ART.

Indexed as

Acupuncture TherapyPregnancy OutcomeReproductive Techniques, AssistedFemaleHumansLive BirthPregnancyPregnancy RateRandomized Controlled Trials as Topicacupunctureassisted reproductive technologymeta-analysispregnancy outcomesystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40979715
PMCPMC12446238

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.