Research
INTRODUCTION
Though nearly every study of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) conducted globally over the last twenty years demonstrates its dramatic effectiveness in improving sperm counts, motility and morphology, and improving gynecological conditions such as endometriosis and fibroids, acupuncture, a timeless, empirically sound method of healing, remains controversial as an accepted form of treatment.
One reason may be that chi/qi, the essential but non-quantifiable element of life force central to all mechanisms of TCM and present in every interaction, can’t be seen or measured. Qi is therefore overlooked in the gold standard, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical studies that rely on precise measurements of all kinds, and upon which Western medicine is based.
Another may be that only in recent years have concerted efforts been made to quantify the medical successes of acupuncture/Chinese medicine through scientifically conducted clinical trials and the publication of peer-review articles. In that regard, TCM is hundreds of years behind the medical establishment’s documented efforts. Regardless, TCM has been healing people and making them whole for more than 5,000 years.
I begin this sampling of clinical studies demonstrating the effectiveness of acupuncture/Oriental medicine with a seminal article by Ted Kaptchuk, a doctor and clinician of Chinese medicine, and a Harvard scientific scholar and investigator renown for his methodical and groundbreaking studies on chi/qi. His findings may very well set the Western gold standard on its head.
Revolutionary in its implications, Ted Kaptchuk characterizes the placebo phenomenon as a form of interpersonal healing
By first reviewing evidence of its significance, and then examining its scope and limits, Kaptchuk tackles another energetic element in biomedicine: the placebo effect, for which medicine has not yet developed a general theory, and around which researchers are mostly confused and frustrated. He observes that the energy of intention determines treatment outcomes, that outcomes are driven by the bias of the people involved in the healing relationship and further posits that the relationship itself is healing (or not). He believes research on the placebo effect has the potential to revitalize the art of medicine.
Miller FG, Colloca L, Kaptchuk TJ. The Placebo effect: illness and interpersonal healing. Perspect Biol Med. 2009 Autumn;52(4):518-39.
Acupuncture improves uterine blood flow and regulates the menstrual cycle by inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system
Studies suggest that acupuncture has a potential central impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, and peripherally on the uterus. Because the effects of acupuncture appear to be mediated through endogenous opioid peptides in the central nervous system, particularly beta-endorphin, known for its influence on the menstrual cycle, it is logical to hypothesize that the sympathoinhibitory effects of acupuncture may impact on uterine blood flow.
Chang R, Chung PH, Rosenwaks Z. Role of acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility. Fertil Steril. 2002 Dec;78(6):1149-53.
Luteal-phase acupuncture has a positive effect on the outcome of IVF/ICSI
In a University IVF Center study of 225 infertile patients undergoing IVF/ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), the clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the TCM acupuncture group, demonstrating that luteal-phase acupuncture has a positive effect on the outcome of IVF/ICSI.
Dieterle S, Ying G, Hatzmann W, Neuer A. Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study. Fertil Steril. 2006 May;85(5):1347-51.
Acupuncture demonstrated to improve ovulatory dysfunction, normalize test results
In a TCM study conducted by the Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, involving 34 patients with ovulatory dysfunction, acupuncture was consistently found to improve symptoms and ultrasound results, may adjust FSH, LH, and E2 in two directions, and raise the progesterone level, bringing them to normal--findings which were confirmed by animal studies. According to the study results, through the Chong and Ren channels, acupuncture nourishes the uterus to adjust endocrine function along the generative and physiologic axis of women, thus stimulating ovulation.
Mo X, Li D, Pu Y, Xi G, Le X, Fu Z. Clinical studies on the mechanism for acupuncture stimulation of ovulation. J Tradit Chin Med. 1993 Jun;13(2):115-9.
Acupuncture improves pregnancy rates after assisted reproduction therapy (ART)
In a prospective randomized study, fertility center patients undergoing ART, with good quality embryos, were randomized into two groups of 80: one that received acupuncture with embryo transfer, and one that didn’t. Clinical pregnancies were documented in 42.5% of the acupuncture group versus 26.3% in the control group, showing that acupuncture seems to be a useful tool for improving pregnancy rates after ART.
Paulus WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K. Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertil Steril. 2002 Apr;77(4):721-4.
TCM acupuncture and moxa techniques significantly increase the percentage of normal-form sperm in infertile patients with semen abnormalities of unknown etiology
Nineteen childless and married patients between the ages of 24 and 42 were randomized into two groups, and for 10 weeks submitted to acupuncture and moxa treatment at either therapeutic (study) or indifferent (control) points. It was demonstrated that TCM acupuncture and moxa treatments significantly increased the formation of normal sperm in men with otherwise unexplained semen abnormalities.
Gurfinkel E, Cedenho AP, Yamamura Y, Srougi M. Effects of acupuncture and moxa treatment in patients with semen abnormalities. Asian J Androl. 2003 Dec; 5(4):345-348.
Auricular acupuncture offers a valuable alternative therapy for female infertility due to hormone disorders
In this study 45 infertile women were treated with auricular acupuncture while another group of 45 were treated with hormones. Of those receiving acupuncture 22 became pregnant (compared to 20 in the hormone group); only 44% remained infertile (compared to 56%), even though hormone disorders were more pronounced in acupuncture group; disorders of the autonomic nervous system normalized during acupuncture treatment; and side-effects were observed only in the hormone therapy group.
Gerhard I, Postneek F. Auricular acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility. Gynecol Endocrinol. 1992 Sep;6(3):171-81.
Hochuekkito (Chinese herbal medicine) demonstrated to have a direct protective effect on sperm motility, velocity and linearity
Though widely used in Japan and long reported to have clinical usefulness in treating male infertility, few studies have verified its effects. But in this high-tech analysis of the semen from 10 healthy male volunteers, administration of Hochuekkito cut the sperm-diminishing effects of anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) by a significant 50%, demonstrating and quantifying its protective mechanism.
Yamanaka M, Kitamura M, Kishikawa H, Tsuboniwa N, Koga M, Nishimura K, Tsujimura A, Takahara S, Matsumiya K, Okuyama A. Direct effects of Chinese herbal medicine “hochuekkito” on sperm movement. Nippon Hinyokika Gakkai Zasshi. 1998 Jul;89(7):641-6.
Males exhibiting low fertility potential due to reduced sperm activity benefit from acupuncture
In a study designed to assess the effect of acupuncture on sperm quality of males suffering from subfertility related to sperm impairment, the semen of 16 subfertile males treated with acupuncture was compared to a control group of 16 untreated subfertile males. The fertility index increased significantly in the acupuncture group, following improvement in total functional sperm fraction, percentage of viability, total motile spermatozoa per ejaculate, and integrity of the axonema.
Siterman S, Eltes F, Wolfson V, Zabludovsky N, Bartoov B. Effect of acupuncture on sperm parameters of males suffering from subfertility related to low sperm quality. Arch Androl. 1997 Sep-Oct;39(2):155-61.
The active component in the Chinese herb, Cornus officinalis, is identified, isolated and measured to increase sperm motility by as much as 120%
In this study, a Chinese herb empirically reputed to increase sperm motility, Cornus officinalis, was prepared, analyzed and then fractionated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In its crude concentrate, Cornus officinalis increased sperm motility by 68%. But when further fractionated, the concentrated isolate C4 was found to be the active component in the herb, showing a dramatic increase in sperm motility of 120%.
Jeng H, Wu CM, Su SJ, Chang WC. A substance isolated from Cornus officinalis enhances the motility of human sperm. Am J Chin Med. 1997;25(3-4):301-6.
Chinese medicine, Tai-bao, demonstrated to regulate reproductive immune function, inhibit antisperm cytotoxic antibody, and promote pregnancy
Immunoinfertile experimental mice were divided into four groups to be analyzed for rates of pregnancy and implantation, and cytotoxicity. Using ELISA and microcytotoxic assay to detect antisperm antibody in groups injected with: normal saline, prednisone, low-dose Tai-bao, and high dose Tai-bao, it was found that rates of pregnancy and implantation were significantly higher and, concomitantly, cytotoxicity was significantly lower the in the groups administered with the Chinese medicine (38%, 47%, 70% and 75%, respectively).
Lai AN, Song JF, Liu XJ. An experimental study on inhibitory effect of Chinese medicine tai-bao on antisperm antibody. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie he Za Zhi. 1997 Jun;17(6):360-2.
Chinese bushen shengjing pill shown to have astounding curative effect in male infertility
Eighty-seven cases of male infertility with semen abnormality were treated with bushen shengjing pill and observed. As expected, the prescription enhanced semen quality and increased spousal pregnancy rates, with a total effective rate of a significant 95%. Further, it was found that bushen shegjing pill has a bidirectional regulatory function in FSH, LH, testosterone, corticosterone, and can enhance or reduce hormone levels to normal values.
Yue GP, Chen Q, Dai N. Eighty-seven cases of male infertility treated by bushen shengjing pill in clinical observation and evaluation on its curative effect. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie he Za Zhi. 1996 Aug;16(8):463-6.
Tonifying Kidney Herbs (TKH) normalize androgen and levels and ovulation through sex gland and multi-organ regulation
An Androgen Sterilized Rat (ASR) model was established by injecting testosterone propionate SQ into young female rats. This effectively disturbed the morphology and hormones in the pituitary, ovary and adrenal glands. After 100 days, tonifying kidney herb extract (TKH) was administered to the ASRs, and changes observed by light and electron microscope, cell culture, immunohistochemical studies and radioimmuno-assay demonstrated reduction in androgen levels, inducement of ovulation and normalization of all morphology and hormones.
Gui SQ, Yu J, Wei MJ. Experimental study of effect on tonifying kidney herbs in pituitary ovary adrenal gland of androgen sterilized rats. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie he Za Zhi. 1997 Dec;17(12):735-8.
Guizhi-Fuling-Wan effective for circulation disorders in varicocele and semen quality
Thirty-seven infertile patients with varicocele were treated with Guizhi-Fuling-Wan for three months. Before and after administration of the Chinese herb, semen qualities were examined and varicocele were graded. At the end of the treatment study, sperm concentration and motility was improved in 71% and 62% of patients, respectively, and a varicocele disappearance rate of 80% was obtained.
Ishikawa H, Ohashi M, Hayakawa K, Kaneko S, Hata M. Effects of guizhi-fuling-wan on male infertility with varicocele. Am J Chin Med. 1996;24(3-4):327-31.
Oral L-arginine supplementation in poor responder patients improves ovarian response, endometrial receptivity and pregnancy rate
Two groups of 34 women undergoing assisted reproduction were evaluated during an ovarian stimulation regimen. Of the 17 using L-arginine, there was an increase in the number of oocytes collected and embryos transferred, significant Doppler flow improvement, and three pregnancies registered (vs. none in the other group).
Battaglia C, Salvatori M, Maxia N, Petraglia F, Facchinetti F, Volpe A. Adjuvant L-arginine treatment for in-vitro fertilization in poor responder patients. Hum Reprod. 1999 Jul;14(7): 1690-7.
Oriental herbal medicine Cinnamon and Poria (Gui zhi fu ling wan/Keishi-bukuryo-gan), kept an endometriotic patient symptom-free for more than seven months, without any suppression of serum CA125 and estradiol levels
Changes in the specific antiendometrial IgM antibodies, as measured by flowcytometric analysis, demonstrated that the Oriental herbal medicine, Cinnamon and Poria (Gui zhi fu ling wan/Keishi-bukuryo-gan), decreased the specific IgM antibody titer and kept an endometriotic patient symptom-free for more than seven months, without any suppression of serum CA125 and estradiol levels. Whereas, leuproride acetate therapy had the opposite effects, suggesting that this antiendometrial IgM autoantibody could serve as a pathogenic molecule and a potential clinical marker for the oriental therapy of endometriosis.
Tanaka T, Mizuno K, Umesaki N, Ogita S. A preliminary immunopharmacological study of an antiendometriotic herbal medicine, Keishi-bukuryo-gan. Osaka City Med J. 1998 Jun;44(1):117-24.
Electro-acupuncture reduces blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women
The results of a prospective non-randomized study of 10 infertile, but otherwise healthy women with a pulsatility index of greater than or equal to 3.0 in the uterine arteries, suggested that electro-acupuncture effects a central inhibition of the sympathetic activity.
Stener-Victorin E, Waldenström U, Andersson SA, Wikland M. Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture. Hum Reprod. 1996 Jun; 11(6):1314-7.
Electro-acupuncture inhibits hyperactivity in the sympathetic nervous system
Both the rat and human models for polycystic ovaries (PCOS) are associated with hyperactivity in the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), an area for which nerve growth factor (NGF) is known to serve as a neurotrophin. Empirically, electro-acupuncture (EA) is known to reduce hyperactivity in the SNS. This study demonstrated that significantly lowered concentrations of NGF in PCOS models were measured in populations treated with EA, providing scientific support for its mechanism of inhibiting hyperactivity in the SNS.
Stener-Victorin E, Lundeberg T, Waldenström U, Manni L, Aloe L, Gunnarsson S, Janson PO. Effects of electro-acupuncture on nerve growth factor and ovarian morphology in rats with experimentally induced polycystic ovaries. Biol Reprod. 2000 Nov;63(5):1497-503.