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Review
. 2017;18(3):186-193.
doi: 10.1631/jzus.B1600437.

Use of electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation in reproductive medicine: a group consensus

Fan Qu  1   2   3   4 , Rong Li  5 , Wei Sun  6 , Ge Lin  7 , Rong Zhang  8 , Jing Yang  9 , Li Tian  10 , Guo-Gang Xing  8 , Hui Jiang  5 , Fei Gong  7 , Xiao-Yan Liang  11 , Yan Meng  12 , Jia-Yin Liu  12 , Li-Ying Zhou  1   2   3   4 , Shu-Yu Wang  1   2   3   4 , Yan Wu  1   2   3   4 , Yi-Jing He  1   2   3   4 , Jia-Yu Ye  1   2   3   4 , Song-Ping Han  1   5   8   2   3   4 , Ji-Sheng Han  8
Affiliations
Review

Use of electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation in reproductive medicine: a group consensus

Fan Qu et al. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2017.

Abstract

With the rapid development of assisted reproductive technology, various reproductive disorders have been effectively addressed. Acupuncture-like therapies, including electroacupuncture (EA) and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), become more popular world-wide. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that EA and TEAS are effective in treating gynecological disorders, especially infertility. This present paper describes how to select acupoints for the treatment of infertility from the view of theories of traditional Chinese medicine and how to determine critical parameters of electric pulses of EA/TEAS based on results from animal and clinical studies. It summarizes the principles of clinical application of EA/TEAS in treating various kinds of reproductive disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pain induced by oocyte retrieval, diminished ovarian reserve, embryo transfer, and oligospermia/ asthenospermia. The possible underlying mechanisms mediating the therapeutic effects of EA/TEAS in reproductive medicine are also examined.

Keywords: Electroacupuncture (EA); Group consensus; Reproductive medicine; Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS).

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Conflict of interest statement

Compliance with ethics guidelines: Fan QU, Rong LI, Wei SUN, Ge LIN, Rong ZHANG, Jing YANG, Li TIAN, Guo-gang XING, Hui JIANG, Fei GONG, Xiao-yan LIANG, Yan MENG, Jia-yin LIU, Li-ying ZHOU, Shu-yu WANG, Yan WU, Yi-jing HE, Jia-yu YE, Song-ping HAN, and Ji-sheng HAN declare that they have no conflict of interest.

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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