Study variables

The primary outcome measure was preference for pain treatment among breast cancer survivors who were currently taking, or who had previously taken, an AI. Participants were asked to rate their preference for using acupuncture versus medication by answering the following question: ‘Since there are pain medications to manage pain, what is your preference for taking a pain medication vs. getting acupuncture to manage your pain?’ Response options included ‘very much prefer acupuncture’, ‘much prefer acupuncture’, ‘slightly prefer acupuncture’, ‘no preference’, ‘slightly prefer medication’, ‘much prefer medication’ and ‘very much prefer medication’.