Training in relaxation and visual imagery with patients who have open-angle glaucoma

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of training in relaxation and visual imagery on the intraocular pressure (IOP) of patients suffering from primary open angle glaucoma. The treatment included a basic program (BP) of standard autogenic relaxation exercises and an advanced program (AP), in which patients received instructions and practice regarding special exercises in ocular relaxation and imagination of aqueous humor drainage. Twenty-three patients, aged 24 to 69 years, received assignment either to a training group or to a waiting-list control group. We measured IOP before and after each training session. We ascertained 24-hr IOP profiles during clinical assessments prior to the training, in the interval between the BP and the AP, and after termination of the training. We also performed the water drinking test to provoke maximum IOP levels, and patients completed psychological questionnaires of depression, anxiety, and physical complaints. Results on short-term changes indicate only slight improvements of IOP levels following each training session. However, during the course of the BP as well as of the AP, we detected a significant decrease in IOP. Twenty-four-hour profiles as well as the water drinking test also showed significant reductions of IOP across time. Medication dosage decreased for 56% of the initially treated patients. The findings suggest that relaxation and visual imagery techniques can be beneficial in reducing elevated IOP levels in patients with open angle glaucoma.