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. 2015 Oct 22:9:1981-8.
doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S88732. eCollection 2015.

Short-term effects of relaxation music on patients suffering from primary open-angle glaucoma

Thomas Bertelmann  1 , Ilse Strempel  1
Affiliations

Short-term effects of relaxation music on patients suffering from primary open-angle glaucoma

Thomas Bertelmann et al. Clin Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate whether additive relaxation music (RM) has an adjuvant short-term effect on physiological and psychological parameters in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

Methods: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. Patients in the therapy group (TG) received a 30-minute RM via headphones, whereas members of the control group (CG) did not. Best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, visual field testing, short- and long-term mental states, and blood levels of different stress hormones were analyzed and compared.

Results: A total of 25 (61%)/16 (39%) patients were assigned to the TG/CG. Best corrected visual acuity, daily intraocular pressure, and short-term mental state (KAB) development were significantly better in the TG in comparison to controls. Visual field testing, long-term mental well-being (profile of mood states), and adrenalin, cortisol, and endothelin-I blood levels did not differ significantly between both groups.

Conclusion: Additive RM applied on a daily basis can positively impact various physiological and psychological parameters in the short term.

Keywords: IOP; POAG; intraocular pressure; mental health; music therapy; primary open angle glaucoma.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean change from baseline in IOP (mmHg) during the 10-day core study phase (differences in IOP between before and after daily treatment). Notes: Blue line = TG; yellow line = CG. Copyright © 2009. Reproduced with friendly permission from Bertelmann T. Musiktherapie für Glaukompatienten. Adjuvante Glaukomtherapie. Saarbrücken: Südwestdeutscher Verlag für Hochschulschriften; 2009. German. Abbreviations: IOP, intraocular pressure; TG, therapy group; CG, control group.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean change in KAB scores during the 10-day core study phase (differences in KAB between before and after daily treatment). Notes: Blue line = TG; yellow line = CG. Negative KAB scores indicate improvement in overall mental well-being, whereas positive scores show an increase in mental strain. Copyright © 2009. Reproduced with friendly permission from Bertelmann T. Musiktherapie für Glaukompatienten. Adjuvante Glaukomtherapie. Saarbrücken: Südwestdeutscher Verlag für Hochschulschriften; 2009. German. Abbreviations: TG, therapy group; CG, control group.
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