Study designs of evaluations included in the review
The inclusion criteria did not specify what types of study designs were eligible for inclusion. The review included case reports, case series, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) including crossover trials, and non-controlled trials.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies that described or evaluated the efficacy and/or safety of naltrexone were eligible for inclusion. Dosages varied from 0.4 mg/kg every third day to 2 mg/kg per day. Duration varied from one dose to treatment for 6 months.
Participants included in the review
Paediatric patients with AD were eligible for inclusion. The participants were aged from 2 to 21 years. Some studies included participants with self-injurious behaviour and/or mental retardation.
Outcomes assessed in the review
The inclusion criteria did not specify measures of efficacy and/or safety. Methods used to express patient response included 18 different rating scales, checklists or assessments, as well as physiological measurements (details were reported in the review).
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection.