IVF and Acupuncture for Infertility; Clinical Trial
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UPDATE: This study is currently on hold while we attend to some administrative details. Please check back to this blog often, as we will keep our readers updated. You may also call the New Patient Coordinators at 415 834-3095 for more information.
PREVIOUSLY: Pacific Fertility Center is pleased to announce that as of October 1st we are enrolling patients into a groundbreaking research study to determine the value of combining acupuncture with IVF. Traditional
Chinese medicine has been practiced in throughout Asia for thousands of years:in the last decade, the west has been following suit.
There have been sufficient peer reviewed studies to warrant a clinical trial in which there are predictable parameters of patient involvement. One of the first studies involving acupuncture and IVF was published by Paulus et al in the journal Fertility Sterility in 2002. The Paulus study reported the influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproductive therapy. Clinical pregnancies were documented at 42.5% of patients in the acupuncture/IVF group, whereas pregnancy rates were 26.3% in the control group, using IVF alone. In this study, the acupuncture was performed before and after embryo transfer only.
How does acupuncture affect fertility? A review article in Alternative Therapies (Anderson 2007) suggested four possible mechanisms by which acupuncture could improve the outcome of IVF: modulatingneuroendocrine factors; increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries; modulating cytokines; and reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
Tags: Acupuncture, Clinical Trials & Studies, IVF - In Vitro Fertilization
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Is the recruitment for this trial is still opened? please contact as I would lik to participate in this trial
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Sara,
Thanks for your interest in the trial! We are definitely still recruiting patients, but there are some requirements for acceptance into the study. I forwarded your request on to our Patient Care Coordinator who can discuss them with you further. If you would like to contact her directly, you can call 415-834-3000 or email us here http://www.pacificfertilitycenter.com/contact/contact.php
April 28th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Hi,
We are going through infertility treatment at Kaiser. We are considering ivf as an option as well. We have an IVF consultation appointment at Kaiser on May 10th. While researching online I came across PFC and noticed the clinical trial for acupuncture with IVF. Can you please provide some details about the eligibility criteria and the potential benefits for us is we decide to do it at PFC instead of Kaiser.
Thanks,
Anand
May 3rd, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Anand,
The acupuncture study is going through some administrative changes and enrollment will begin some time in June. We also have another upcoming study starting in June that does not include acupuncture but may be helpful to you.
Coming up, PFC will have some other research opportunities that you may be eligible for. These studies may or may not provide you with free care and financial incentives. If you would like further information regarding research opportunities at PFC please discuss this with your physician at the physician consult where those opportunities you may be eligible for can be discussed. At that time you will be connected with the research personnel who can guide you through the process.
As you are currently with Kaiser, I would like to point out that we do offer free telephone consultations with our doctors if you would like a second opinion or to further discuss these research study options.
Hope this helps!
-Molly
May 5th, 2010 at 11:14 am
I want to joing this ivf and acupucture research…..
how do i apply? do they have in NYC
May 12th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Amna,
The acupuncture study is going through some administrative changes and enrollment will begin some time in June. We also have another upcoming study starting in June that does not include acupuncture but may be helpful to you. We will post an announcement here on our blog as soon as we know more!
We are located in San Francisco and we do not currently have any offices in New York City. We do welcome patients from all over the United States though, as well as international patients.
You can always call our toll free number 888-834-3095 to check on the progress of these studies.
-Molly
June 29th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
I was wondering if the trial has opened.
June 29th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Jamie,
You can visit our new research page on our website to learn more about research at PFC.
The best way to find out what trials are open and which ones you might be eligible for is to make an appointment with one of our doctors. We offer complimentary 30 minute telephone consults if you are still considering treatment.
I hope that helps!
-Molly