A comparison of decision-making processes for conventional and complementary medicine in cancer patients.

To understand the decision-making processes involved in conventional medicine and complementary medicine cancer treatment, and the role that information plays, a cross-sectional survey of cancer patients was carried out at 2 Australian cancer centres. Data was obtained from 75 cancer patients. When asked about complementary medicine use, 36 (48%) patients reported using some form of complementary medicine in conjunction with their conventional treatment.

The effect of acupuncture on post-cancer fatigue and well-being for women recovering from breast cancer: a pilot randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of acupuncture in managing fatigue and well-being in breast cancer survivors.

Methods: A randomised controlled trial compared acupuncture was with sham acupuncture and wait list controls was performed in Sydney, Australia. A total of 30 women with fatigue following breast cancer treatment participated in the trial.

The effect of acupuncture on psychosocial outcomes for women experiencing infertility: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The study objectives were to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture for reducing infertility-related stress.

Design: The study design was a randomized controlled trial of acupuncture compared with a wait-list control.

Setting: The study was conducted at The University of Western Sydney.

Use of Chinese medicine by cancer patients: a review of surveys.

Chinese medicine has been used to treat a variety of cancer-related conditions. This study aims to examine the prevalence and patterns of Chinese medicine usage by cancer patients. We reviewed articles written in English and found only the Chinese medicine usage from the studies on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

The ethics of traditional chinese and Western herbal medicine research: views of researchers and human ethics committees in australia.

Despite the growth of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western herbal medicine (WHM) research in Australia, little is known about how ethics committees (HRECs) assess the ethics of TCM or WHM research. The objectives of this study were to examine the experiences of TCM and WHM researchers and HRECs with the evaluation of ethics applications. Two cross-sectional surveys were undertaken of HRECs and TCM and WHM researchers in Australia.

Acupuncture to treat common reproductive health complaints: An overview of the evidence.

Background: Women specific health complaints are common, and women are higher users of complementary therapies and medicines. Acupuncture is one modality used by women. The aim of this paper was to summarise the evidence from scientific trials and systematic reviews assessing the effectiveness of acupuncture to treat the most common women specific reproductive health complaints.