Evidence mapPaperPMID 42058430Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in medicine2026

Efficacy of acupuncture for recurrent implantation failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Qin Huang, Xin-Yue Liu, Zi-Meng Zhu, Tian-Shu Hou, Yi Long, Si-Hui Li, Qian-Hui Huang, Hong-Mei Yang, Jun-Ran Wang, Qiao-Feng Wu

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

10 authors.

Qin Huang *Acupuncture and Moxibustion College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Xin-Yue Liu *Acupuncture and Moxibustion College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Zi-Meng ZhuAcupuncture and Moxibustion College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Tian-Shu HouChengdu Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Hospital, Chengdu, China.
Yi LongAcupuncture and Moxibustion College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Si-Hui LiDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Qian-Hui HuangPujiangxian Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang, China.
Hong-Mei YangChengdu Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Hospital, Chengdu, China.
Jun-Ran WangAcupuncture and Moxibustion College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Qiao-Feng WuAcupuncture and Moxibustion College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) presents significant clinical and psychological challenges. While acupuncture is a potential adjunctive therapy during embryo transfer (ET), comprehensive evidence regarding its multidimensional effects remains limited. This study systematically evaluates acupuncture's impact on pregnancy outcomes, endometrial receptivity, and psychological status in RIF patients. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing acupuncture + ET with ET alone in patients with RIF. Eight major databases were searched from inception through October 2025. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Results: Fourteen RCTs involving 1,428 patients were included. Regarding clinical efficacy, acupuncture + ET significantly increased the clinical pregnancy rate (relative risk [RR] = 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.51, 1.99], Conclusion: Acupuncture may be a promising adjunctive therapy for RIF patients undergoing ET. However, the current evidence is constrained by significant methodological limitations. These results support the clinical integration of acupuncture into multidisciplinary RIF management but should be further confirmed by multicenter, rigorously blinded trials with standardized protocols and long-term outcome assessments. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=1237224, the Unique Identifier is PROSPERO CRD420251237224.

Indexed as

acupunctureembryo transferinfertilitymeta-analysisrecurrent implantation failure

Identifiers

PMID42058430
PMCPMC13121254

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.