Auricular Acupressure Reduces Anxiety Levels and Improves Outcomes of in Vitro Fertilization: A Prospective, Randomized and Controlled Study

Abstract

The study was to explore whether auricular acupressure (AA) can relieve anxiety during the period from trans-vaginal oocyte retrieval to the embryo transfer in IVF treatment and whether AA can improve the outcomes of IVF. 305 infertile patients with tubal blockage who were referred for IVF were included. The women were randomized into a control group with 102 cases, a Sham-AA group with 102 cases and an AA group with 101 cases. The anxiety levels were rated with Spielberger's State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale. Data of clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), implantation rate (IR) and live birth rate (LBR) were obtained. The levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) in the follicular fluids were detected with ELISA. After treatment, in AA group, the levels of state anxiety, preoperative anxiety and need-for-information were significantly lower, whereas CPR, IR, LBR and NPY levels in the follicular fluids were markedly higher than Sham-AA group and control group. We concluded that AA could help to reduce anxiety levels associated with IVF and improves the outcomes of IVF partly through increasing the levels of NPY in the follicular fluids.

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of nonpharmacological adjuvant interventions for patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment

“…A total of 34 studies with 7213 patients overall were included in both the qualitative and the quantitative synthesis (Fig. ).…”

“…The mean duration of infertility was 3.6 years, and the duration was longer than 5 years in 26.4% of the patients. In total, 23 studies reported emotional ratings at baseline . Anxiety, depression, and infertility distress were the most common psychological disorders before the beginning of ART treatment.…”

“…Fourteen RCTs focusing on psychological interventions, five RCTs focusing on acupuncture, and one RCT focusing on a lifestyle intervention provided data on the impact of the intervention on anxiety. In the overall analysis, nonpharmacological interventions significantly reduced anxiety when compared with controls (SMD 0.25, 95% CI 0.08–0.42; I 2 =84%) (Fig.…”

“…Twelve studies focusing on acupuncture, 11 studies focusing on psychological interventions, and two studies focusing on lifestyle interventions reported the pregnancy outcome. The overall analysis indicated a significant effect (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.04–1.47; I 2 =47%).…”

Auricular Acupuncture for Preoperative Anxiety - Protocol of Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials.

“…The potential mechanism of auricular stimulation is attributed to the neuroanatomical conditions of external auricle. It is presumed, that auricular stimulation exerts its anxiolytic effects via the involvement of cranial nerves (18), which leads to the modulation of the brain areas involved in the stress response, including the limbic system, locus coeruleus and hypothalamus (19)(20)(21).…”