Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Questionnaire surveys and cohort studies were considered.
Specific interventions included in the review
Massage, acupuncture, vitamins and herbal remedies; immunostimulation; diets; healing; imagery; bodywork; psychotherapies; homoeopathy.
Participants included in the review
HIV-infected and/or AIDS patients were included.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Perceived effectiveness. Only one study considered assessment of CD4+ cell count, disease progression, physical functioning and mortality.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
Papers were included if they reported data on prevalence of use, i.e. perceived effectiveness, safety or costs of complementary medicine as a treatment for HIV infection or AIDS. No details are provided of how these decisions were reached.