Moxibustion of Shen Que (RN8) can increase the number of embryos available for transfer, thus improving pregnancy outcomes in women of advanced reproductive age who experience unexpected poor ovarian response.
According to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, Shen Que (RN8) is the place where the vitality converges under the navel, and is closely connected with the vitality generated by the kidney Qi. Therefore, stimulating Shen Que may stimulate the essence stored in the kidney, and improve the fertility of "五七" (≥ 35 years old) women. Shen Que moxibustion has been shown to improve ovarian functional reserve in patients with ovarian insufficiency in previous studies. Nevertheless, studies on Shen Que moxibustion in advanced women with unexpected poor ovarian response (POR) who undergo IVF-ET are very limited. Consequently, we designed this randomized controlled trial to validate the hypothesis that Shen Que moxibustion improves reproductive outcomes in unexpected POR women.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
100
Herb-partitioned moxibustion was administered at RN8 (Shen Que), once every 72 hours from the beginning of previous menstrual cycle day 2 until oocyte retrieval. Approximately 10 moxa cones will be used for this procedure, which will take approximately two hours. It is recommended that patients close their eyes during the procedure and rest. Following moxibustion, the umbilicus will be affixed and sealed with a medical applicator and removed after 24 hours.
The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Jinan, Shandong, China
Number of oocytes retrieved
Number of oocytes retrieved
Time frame: One month
Cycle cancellation rate
Cycle cancellation is defined as cycle cancelled before obtaining at least one viable embryo for any reason. And cycle cancellation rate is calculated by dividing the number of women cancelled their cycle before obtaining at least one viable embryo for any reason by the total number of women randomized to the specific group.
Time frame: One month
Number of Metaphase II (MII) eggs
MII eggs is defined as eggs retrieved that reach the MII phase.
Time frame: One month
Cumulative Clinical pregnancy rate
Clinic pregnancy will be diagnosed with the detection of an intrauterine gestation sac. And cumulative clinic pregnancy rate is calculated by the number of women who achieves clinical pregnancy after transfers of all study-specific embryos (within 1 year after randomization) by the total number of women randomized to the specific group.
Time frame: Fourteen months
Implantation rate
Number of gestation sac detected / number of embryo transferred.
Time frame: Fourteen months
Good quality embryo rate
Good quality embryo is defined as embryo that is graded as 6-cell grade 2 (6CII) or better or blastocyst. And good quality embryo rate is calculated by dividing the number of good quality embryo by the total number of embryo obtained after fertilization in the specific group.
Time frame: One month
Cumulative live birth rate
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Cumulative live birth rates (CLBR), defined as the proportion of deliveries with at least one live birth per started cycle or per oocyte aspiration, including all fresh and/or frozen embryo transfers until one delivery with a live birth or until all embryos were used.
Time frame: Eighteen months