Short-Term Intraocular Pressure Response to the Combined Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation over Acupoint (Acu-TENS) and Yoga Ocular Exercise in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Randomized Controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Despite the adherence to medications, the control of the modifiable key risk factor-intraocular pressure (IOP)-for the progression of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in diabetics is usually difficult; hence, many glaucoma patients try other alternative therapeutic options. Objectives: This randomized controlled study investigated the short-term IOP response to the combined effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation over acupoint (Acu-TENS) and yoga ocular exercise in type 2 diabetics with POAG.

Methods: Eighty diabetics with bilateral POAG, ages ≥ 50 years, IOP > 21 mmHg in both eyes, and a body mass index below 30 kg/m² were included in this trial. The patients were randomly assigned to group A (n = 40; this group received 20 minutes of yoga ocular exercise followed by 20 minutes of active Acu-TENS over bilateral BL 61 and BL 62 acupoints) and group B (n = 40; this group received the same protocol as group A but with a placebo Acu-TENS). The repeated measurement of IOP were recorded before, immediately after, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes after the sessions.

Results: The repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a greater significant decline of IOP in group A than group B in both eyes at the consecutive intervals of time measurements.

Conclusion: According to this short-term observation, the addition of Acu-TENS to yoga ocular exercise could reduce the high IOP in diabetic patients with POAG, but further longterm trials are needed.

Keywords: Intraocular pressure; Primary open-angle glaucoma; Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Yoga ocular exercise.