What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for glaucoma include medications, laser therapy, and surgery. Medications can cause side effects like eye redness, stinging, blurred vision, and systemic effects such as fatigue and shortness of breath. Laser therapies may lead to temporary eye inflammation and increased intraocular pressure. Surgical options carry risks of infection, bleeding, and vision loss. Mindfulness-based meditation, a non-invasive approach, generally has minimal side effects, mainly related to psychological and emotional responses.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

FDA-approved treatments for glaucoma primarily focus on reducing intraocular pressure to prevent optic nerve damage. Common treatments include prostaglandin analogs (e.g., latanoprost), beta-blockers (e.g., timolol), alpha agonists (e.g., brimonidine), and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., dorzolamide). These medications work by either decreasing the production of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow. While mindfulness-based meditation is not an FDA-approved treatment, it has shown promise in reducing intraocular pressure and improving quality of life, similar to the goals of these pharmacological treatments.

What other types of research exist?

Promising novel alternatives to mindfulness-based meditation for glaucoma patients include psychological nursing combined with eyeball massage, which has been shown to improve sleep quality and life quality while reducing postoperative complications. Additionally, integrative therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, and relaxation therapy may also provide benefits in managing glaucoma-related symptoms and improving overall quality of life.

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Behavioral Intervention

Meditation for Improving Quality of Life in Glaucoma Patients

N/A

Waitlist Available

Research Sponsored by Lawson Health Research Institute

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Patients aged 65-75

Patients diagnosed with mild glaucoma

Must not have

Having acutely unstable medical illnesses, including delirium or acute cerebrovascular or cardiovascular events within the last 6 months

Inability to provide valid informed consent

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up week 1, week 3, week 6, week 12

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial will test if online mindfulness meditation can help glaucoma patients by reducing eye pressure and improving their quality of life and mental health.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for individuals aged 65-75 with mild glaucoma, who can use a computer, sit comfortably for over half an hour, and have good hearing. They should be in overall good health without significant mental disorders or severe depression. Participants must understand English and provide informed consent.

What is being tested?

The study tests if online meditation can improve life quality and mental health in glaucoma patients. It compares the effects of meditation to usual care using questionnaires on health, depression, anxiety, and sleep at multiple points during the study.

What are the potential side effects?

Meditation is generally safe but may include temporary discomfort like restlessness or difficulty concentrating. Rarely it could trigger emotional distress especially if there are underlying mental health issues.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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I am between 65 and 75 years old.

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I have been diagnosed with mild glaucoma.

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I can use a computer by myself for online meditation sessions.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I have not had a stroke, heart attack, or severe illness in the last 6 months.

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I am unable to understand or sign the consent form.

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I have been diagnosed with severe depression.

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I have been diagnosed with a serious mental disorder like bipolar or schizophrenia.

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I cannot complete questionnaires due to irreversible vision loss.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ week 1, week 3, week 6, week 12

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~week 1, week 3, week 6, week 12

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and week 1, week 3, week 6, week 12 for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

The 12-item short form survey

Secondary study objectives

Anxiety

Depression

Sleep quality

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Meditation to Remove Stress and Create A Proper System in MindExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

The study intervention will be administered to participants randomized to the intervention arm. The meditation intervention will be delivered virtually via the hospital-approved Microsoft Teams platform. Participants will be taught an evidence-based meditation technique which includes two online sessions (60 minutes/day) with a trained, experienced, and certified teacher of Prasanna Wellness, a non-profit service organization. Participants will learn how to respond to experiences that arise in meditation, will discuss what enhances or detracts from effective meditation, and review methods for meditating at home. The participants in the intervention arm will complete 60-minute follow-up sessions with the Prasanna Wellness staff which will include 33 minutes of guided meditation practice, and then a discussion of participants' experiences with meditation during the week, additional observations, and a review of relevant knowledge to support their home practice.

Group II: Usual CareActive Control1 Intervention

Participants will continue with their usual care.

0 / 8Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

The primary goal of glaucoma treatments is to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) to prevent optic nerve damage and subsequent vision loss. Common treatments include medications such as prostaglandin analogs, which increase the outflow of aqueous humor, and beta-blockers, which reduce aqueous humor production. Surgical options like trabeculectomy create new drainage pathways for fluid. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as mindfulness-based meditation, have shown promise in reducing IOP and improving quality of life by lowering stress and potentially influencing physiological processes that affect eye pressure. These mechanisms are crucial for glaucoma patients as they help preserve vision and enhance overall well-being.