• Caroline A Smith, Sheryl de Lacey, Michael Chapman, Julie Ratcliffe, Robert J Norman, Neil P Johnson, Clare Boothroyd, and Paul Fahey.
• NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.
• JAMA. 2018 May 15; 319 (19): 1990-1998.

ImportanceAcupuncture is widely used by women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), although the evidence for efficacy is conflicting.ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy of acupuncture compared with a sham acupuncture control performed during IVF on live births.Design, Setting, And ParticipantsA single-blind, parallel-group randomized clinical trial including 848 women undergoing a fresh IVF cycle was conducted at 16 IVF centers in Australia and New Zealand between June 29, 2011, and October 23, 2015, with 10 months of pregnancy follow-up until August 2016.InterventionsWomen received either acupuncture (n = 424) or a sham acupuncture control (n = 424). The first treatment was administered between days 6 to 8 of follicle stimulation, and 2 treatments were administered prior to and following embryo transfer. The sham control used a noninvasive needle placed away from the true acupuncture points.Main Outcomes And MeasuresThe primary outcome was live birth, defined as the delivery of 1 or more living infants at greater than 20 weeks' gestation or birth weight of at least 400 g.ResultsAmong 848 randomized women, 24 withdrew consent, 824 were included in the study (mean [SD] age, 35.4 [4.3] years); 371 [45.0%] had undergone more than 2 previous IVF cycles), 607 proceeded to an embryo transfer, and 809 (98.2%) had data available on live birth outcomes. Live births occurred among 74 of 405 women (18.3%) receiving acupuncture compared with 72 of 404 women (17.8%) receiving sham control (risk difference, 0.5% [95% CI, -4.9% to 5.8%]; relative risk, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.76 to 1.38]).Conclusions And RelevanceAmong women undergoing IVF, administration of acupuncture vs sham acupuncture at the time of ovarian stimulation and embryo transfer resulted in no significant difference in live birth rates. These findings do not support the use of acupuncture to improve the rate of live births among women undergoing IVF.Trial Registrationanzctr.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12611000226909.

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