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Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2016; 233(04): 416-423
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-111819
Klinische Studie
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Improvement in Visual Function in Patients with Inherited Diseases of the Retina Following Acupuncture Treatment

Verbesserung der Sehfunktion bei Patienten mit hereditären Netzhauterkrankungen durch Akupunktur
T. Blechschmidt
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Switzerland (Chairman a. i.: Prof. Selim Orgül)
,
M. Krumsiek
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Switzerland (Chairman a. i.: Prof. Selim Orgül)
,
M. G. Todorova
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Switzerland (Chairman a. i.: Prof. Selim Orgül)
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Publication History

Publication Date:
26 April 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Background: The aim of this pilot study was to examine the short-term effect on visual function of acupuncture treatment in a cohort of patients with inherited diseases of the retina. Patients and Methods: A prospective pilot study was performed on 14 patients (10 ♀, 4 ♂; mean age: 43.43 y (± 19.72 y)), with the clinically and electrophysiologically confirmed diagnosis of inherited disease of the retina. Acupuncture treatment consisted of needle application to the body and ears and was performed following a standardized protocol. The treatment was scheduled for 10 half-hour sessions over five weeks. Visual function was measured before acupuncture, between acupuncture treatments and after the end of treatment. Objective measurements included best corrected visual acuity (ETDRS charts), contrast vision (CSV-1000, Vector Vision) and Goldmann perimetry (isopters 3IIIe; Haag-Streit). Subjective evaluation was based on evaluation questionnaires. To exclude the effect of variability on the psychophysical tests, a non-acupuncture control group (Nr: 8; 5 ♀, 3 ♂; mean age: 38.56 y (± 9.08 y)) was taken for comparison. Results: All patients with inherited diseases of the retina showed general improvement in objective visual functions, with post-/pre- acupuncture improvement in: visual acuity (p = 0.031, left eyes), contrast vision (p = 0.015 and p = 0.041; both eyes) and widening of the temporal radius of the visual field (0.013; left eyes). Subjectively, all patients reported better daytime, color and contrast vision, better visual focus and less visual tiredness. In addition, some general symptoms, such as longer sleep-onset time, feeling cold, and migraine/headache attacks were significantly reduced. Conclusions: The acupuncture protocol improved visual function in our patients with inherited diseases of the retina and was well tolerated. Nevertheless, the long-term effect of this complementary therapy remains to be evaluated.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund: Das Ziel dieser Pilotstudie ist die Untersuchung des Kurzzeiteffektes auf die Sehfunktion durch Akupunkturbehandlung in einer Kohortengruppe von vererbten Netzhauterkrankungen. Material und Methoden: Es wurde eine Pilotstudie mit 14 Patienten (10 ♀, 4 ♂; Durchschnittsalter: 43.43 J. (± 19.72 J.)) mit klinisch und elektrophysiologisch bestätigter Diagnose einer vererbten Netzhauterkrankung durchgeführt. Die Akupunkturbehandlung (Körper- und Ohrakupunktur) wurde nach einem standardisierten Protokoll durchgeführt. Es wurden zehn 30-minütige Behandlungen über fünf Wochen angesetzt. Der Effekt vor, während und nach Akupunktur wurde durch objektive Beurteilung der Sehfunktionen beurteilt, so mittels bester korrigierter Sehkraft (ETDRS Charts), Kontrastsehen (CSV-1000, Vector Vision), Goldmann-Perimetrie (Isopter 3/III e; Haag-Streit) und subjektiver Beurteilung (durch Fragebögen). Um den Effekt der Variabilität auf die psychophysischen Testergebnisse auszuschliessen, wurde eine Kontrollgruppe ohne Akupunkturbehandlung (Nr: 8; 5 ♀, 3 ♂; Durchschnittsalter: 38.56 J. (± 9.08 J.)) zum Vergleich herangezogen. Ergebnisse: Alle Patienten mit vererbten Netzhauterkrankungen zeigten eine allgemeine Verbesserung der Sehkraft (p = 0.031, linke Augen), des Kontrastsehens (p = 0.015 und p = 0.041; beide Augen) und eine Vergrösserung des temporalen Radius im Gesichtsfeld (0.013; linke Augen). Zusätzlich verbesserten sich einzelne Allgemeinsymptome wie eine verlängerte Einschlafzeit, ein allgemeines Kältegefühl sowie Migräne- und Kopfschmerzanfälle deutlich. Schlussfolgerung: Das oben beschriebene Akupunktur-Protokoll verbesserte bei unseren Patienten mit vererbten Netzhauterkrankungen die Sehfunktion und wurde gut toleriert. Zur Beurteilung des Langzeiteffektes bedarf es einer weiteren Evaluierung.

Key words

acupuncture - contrast vision - Flammer syndrome - inherited retinal diseases - visual function - perimetry

Schlüsselwörter

Akupunktur - Kontrastsehen - Flammer-Syndrom - vererbte Netzhauterkrankungen - Sehfunktion - Perimetrie
 

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