Effects of self-relaxation methods and visual imagery on IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma

In this study, the effects of a training in relaxation and visual imagery on the intra-ocular pressure (IOP) of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were investigated. Twenty-three patients, aged 24-69 years, were assigned either to a training group or to a waiting-list control group. The intervention included a basic programme (BP) of standard autogenic relaxation exercises and an advanced programme (AP) in which special exercises in ocular relaxation and imagination of aqueous humour drainage were conducted. IOP was measured before and after each training session. Twenty-four-hour IOP profiles were ascertained, and the water drinking test to provoke maximum IOP levels was performed during clinical assessments prior to the training, between the BP and the AP and after termination of the training. Results indicate only slight short-term changes of IOP levels immediately after each training session. However, during the course of the BP as well as of the AP a relevant decrease in IOP could be measured. Twenty-four-hour IOP profiles as well as the water drinking test also showed significant reductions of IOP during time. Medication could be reduced 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 though the conclusiveness of the data is limited due to methodological shortcomings.