The efficacy of acupuncture on endometrial receptivity in infertile women: an overview of systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Background and objective: Endometrial receptivity (ER) enhancement is crucial in managing infertility. Although systematic reviews (SRs) have investigated acupuncture's potential to improve ER in infertile women, the evidence remains fragmented due to insufficient quality assessment. This overview aimed to rigorously evaluate the reporting quality, methodological rigor, risk of bias, and evidence confidence of existing SRs, while synthesizing clinical evidence on acupuncture's efficacy and safety for ER enhancement in infertility.
Search strategy: Seven databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang) were systematically searched from inception to March 1, 2025, using combined subject headings and free-text terms ("acupuncture therapy," "endometrial receptivity," "infertility," "systematic review").
Inclusion criteria: SRs investigating acupuncture's therapeutic effects on ER in infertile women were eligible.
Data extraction and analysis: Two independent reviewers performed study selection and data extraction. Methodological quality, reporting completeness, bias risk, and evidence certainty were evaluated using validated tools: AMSTAR 2, ROBIS, PRISMA-A, and GRADE.
Results: From 524 screened records, 10 SRs (published 2019-2023, encompassing 7-25 RCTs each) were included. Methodological quality assessed by AMSTAR 2 showed that all 10 SRs exhibited critically low quality. Reporting quality assessed by PRISMA-A showed that overall completeness…
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