Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Secondary reviews, preclinical studies and case reports were excluded. Studies of all other designs were eligible for inclusion.
Specific interventions included in the review
CAM treatments. These were defined as treatments that are available to patients outside of conventional medical settings, and that are not normally used in conventional settings to treat breast cancer or its associated symptoms or treatment side-effects. Experimental agents available only through participation in conventional clinical trials were excluded. Mind or body and psychosocial interventions were also excluded.
Participants included in the review
Women diagnosed with breast cancer. Primary preventive interventions, aimed at individuals who have never been diagnosed with breast cancer, were excluded.
Outcomes assessed in the review
The studies had to report one of the following end points: the alteration of disease progression, e.g. by prolonging survival, reducing tumour size, or preventing recurrence or metastasis; the alleviation of symptoms caused by breast cancer; the relief or prevention of treatment side-effects; and the improvement in immune function. Studies in which the end point was psychological, such as improvement in mood or body image or relief of emotional distress, were excluded.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the reviewers performed the selection.