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Breathing Exercises + Meditation for Glaucoma

N/A

Waitlist Available

Research Sponsored by London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute and Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

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

Must have

Having no significant self-reported or physician-diagnosed mental health disorder

Patients diagnosed with glaucoma

Must not have

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

Having a lifetime diagnosis of self-reported other serious mental disorders, including bipolar I or II disorder, primary psychotic disorder (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder)

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

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

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial aims to assess the feasibility of using breathing exercises and meditation to improve quality of life for people with glaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for glaucoma patients aged 40-65 who can consent, read English, sit comfortably for over half an hour, and have good hearing. They should be in stable physical health without serious mental disorders or recent substance abuse. Those with severe depression or unstable medical conditions are excluded.

What is being tested?

The study tests if breathing exercises followed by meditation can improve life quality in glaucoma patients. Participants will either do these exercises or receive usual care and then answer online questionnaires about their well-being after 12 weeks.

What are the potential side effects?

Since the intervention involves non-invasive practices like breathing exercises and meditation, significant side effects are not anticipated. However, some individuals might experience discomfort sitting still or mild stress during meditation.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

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

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I do not have a significant mental health disorder.

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I have been diagnosed with glaucoma.

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I am between 40 and 65 years old.

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 confusion in the last 6 months.

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

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I cannot see well enough to fill out questionnaires.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

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

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

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

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline visit, 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

Change in Anxiety

Change in Depression

Change in Sleep quality

+1 more

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: Breathing Exercises followed by MeditationExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Breathing exercises and Meditation taught by Prasanna Wellness, a non-profit organization, helps dissolve stress and create a proper system in the mind. These breathing exercises include slow deep breaths and rapid breaths and are followed by meditation. Participants will receive three weekly online instructions (90 minutes each) by trained instructors in addition to standard care. Weekly 60 minutes follow-ups will include 10 minutes of breathing exercises followed by 33 minutes of guided meditation practice, and then focus on participants' experiences with breathing exercise followed by meditation during the week, additional observations, and a review of relevant knowledge to support their home practice.

Group II: No InterventionActive Control1 Intervention

The usual standard of care for patients with glaucoma includes starting them on first line of drugs. Participants will be initiated and maintained on appropriate dosages of such medications as part of standard of care. The usual standard of care also includes an ophthalmic examination measuring best-corrected Snellen VA and pinhole acuities and a follow-up visit once a year.

0 / 6Eligibility criteria met