Efficacy of Biofeedback Training for Glaucoma
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Biofeedback Training.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Glaucoma, Biofeedback Training. Basic parameters: No limits · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Canada
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Efficacy of Biofeedback Training for Visual Function and Quality of Life in Glaucoma: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
This randomized controlled clinical trial evaluates the efficacy of visual biofeedback training on visual function and quality of life in individuals with glaucoma. Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy that can lead to irreversible vision loss, including impaired fixation stability, reduced retinal sensitivity, and decreased functional vision. Biofeedback training is a visual rehabilitation technique designed to help patients improve fixation stability and optimize use of remaining visual function by training eye movements toward retinal areas with better sensitivity. Seventy participants with glaucoma will be randomized to either a biofeedback training intervention group or a control group. Visual function outcomes, including fixation stability, retinal sensitivity, visual acuity, reading speed, contrast sensitivity, and quality of life, will be assessed at baseline and follow-up visits. This study aims to determine whether biofeedback training can improve visual function and quality of life in patients with glaucoma.
Detailed description
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and is characterized by progressive damage to the optic nerve, resulting in visual field loss, impaired fixation stability, and reduced retinal sensitivity. In advanced stages, patients may develop unstable or eccentric fixation, leading to significant functional visual impairment and reduced quality of life. Current glaucoma treatments primarily aim to control intraocular pressure and do not address the rehabilitation of visual function once damage has occurred.
This prospective, randomized controlled trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy of visual biofeedback training (BT) as a rehabilitation strategy for improving visual function and quality of life in individuals with glaucoma. Biofeedback training is a non-invasive intervention that uses visual and auditory feedback to guide participants in directing their eye movements toward a preferred retinal locus with better sensitivity and stability, thereby optimizing the use of residual vision.
A total of 70 participants with a prior diagnosis of glaucoma will be enrolled and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either the biofeedback training group (n=35) or a control group (n=35). Participants in the intervention group will undergo five weekly sessions of biofeedback training, each lasting approximately 20 minutes. Participants in the control group will receive standard clinical assessments and will be offered biofeedback training after completion of the control period.
Primary outcome measures include fixation stability and retinal sensitivity assessed using microperimetry, best-corrected visual acuity for distance and near vision, reading speed, and vision-related quality of life. Secondary outcome measures include preferred retinal locus characteristics, contrast sensitivity, oculomotor function (saccades and smooth pursuit), visual field testing, and optical coherence tomography parameters.
Assessments will be conducted at baseline and at follow-up visits, including 9 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and up to 2 years post-intervention for the treatment group. Data analysis will be conducted using an intention-to-treat approach. This study seeks to determine whether visual biofeedback training can improve functional vision and quality of life in individuals with glaucoma and to explore whether treatment effects vary by age and baseline retinal sensitivity.
Interventions
- Other Biofeedback Training
Visual Biofeedback Training
Primary outcome measures
- Quality of Life Questionnaire [Time frame: Baseline, 9 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.]
- Visual acuity [Time frame: Baseline and follow-up visits at 9 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years post-intervention]
- Fixation Stability [Time frame: Baseline, 9 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.]
Secondary outcome measures (4)
- Near Vision [Time frame: Baseline, 9 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.]
- Reading speed [Time frame: Baseline, 9 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.]
- Contrast Sensitivity [Time frame: Baseline, 9 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.]
- Retinal Sensitivity [Time frame: Baseline, 9 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- 18-95 years old.
- Glaucoma cases with adequate intraocular pressure control.
- Presence of paracentral scotomata within two degrees of fixation.
- Ability to follow instructions for biofeedback training.
Exclusion criteria
- Prior or current low vision rehabilitation treatment.
- Ocular diseases or severe clinical conditions unrelated to glaucoma
- Media opacities that prevent reliable microperimetry testing in both eyes.
- Inability to perform study assessments or follow instructions for biofeedback training.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
Study locations
Canada · 1 center
- University Health Network/ Toronto Western Hospital — Toronto
Publications
- K. Schuster A, Erb C, M. Hoffmann E, Dietlein T, Pfeiffer N. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Glaucoma. Dtsch Ärztebl Int. 2020 Mar;117(13):225-34. 2. Kang JM, Tanna AP. Glaucoma. Med Clin North Am. 2021 May;105(3):493-510. 3. Vingolo EM, Casillo L, Mecarelli G, Limoli PG. Rehabilitative strategies after filtering procedure in glaucoma. Sci Rep. 2022 Oct 7;12(1):16877. 4. Tham YC, Li X, Wong TY, Qui
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07409077 · 23-5650