Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on Intraocular Pressure and Trabecular Meshwork Gene Expression: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Tanuj Dada, Nithya Bhai, Neha Midha, Jyoti Shakrawal, Manoj Kumar, Priyanka Chaurasia, Shikha Gupta, Dewang Angmo, Rajkumar Yadav, Rima Dada, Ramanjit Sihota
American Journal of Ophthalmology March 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2020.10.012 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Parallel-arm, single-masked randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Adults with medically uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma, IOP ≥21 mm Hg on maximal topical medication, scheduled for trabeculectomy, at a tertiary eye care center in India |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Duration | 3 weeks of daily 45-minute sessions; outcomes assessed at 3 weeks |
| Measures | intraocular pressure (IOP), diurnal variation of IOP, quality of life (QoL), trabecular meshwork gene expression |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Three weeks of daily 45-minute mindfulness meditation lowered IOP by a mean of 5.0 mm Hg (from 20.16 to 15.05 mm Hg), compared with 0.20 mm Hg in the medication-only group. Trabecular meshwork gene expression showed upregulation of NOS1, NOS3, and neuroprotective genes and downregulation of proinflammatory genes in the meditation group. The authors conclude that meditation was associated with reduced IOP and changes in trabecular meshwork gene expression, indicating a direct impact on ocular tissues. |
Abstract
To evaluate the effect of mindfulness meditation (MM) on intraocular pressure (IOP) and trabecular meshwork (TM) gene expression in patients with medically uncontrolled primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Parallel arm, single-masked, randomized controlled trial. Sixty POAG patients with IOP ≥21 mm Hg taking maximal topical medication and scheduled for trabeculectomy were included in this study at a tertiary eye care center in India. Thirty patients (Group 1) underwent 3 weeks of 45-minute daily MM sessions in addition to medical therapy while Group 2 continued medical therapy only. Primary outcome was change in IOP (ΔIOP) after 3 weeks of MM. Secondary outcomes were probability of success, percentage of reduction in IOP, effect on diurnal variations of IOP, changes in quality of life (QoL), and changes in gene expression patterns in TM. At 3 weeks, a significant decrease in IOP was seen in Group 1 (20.16 ± 3.3 to 15.05 ± 2.4mm Hg; P = .001), compared to Group 2 (21.2 ± 5.6 to 20.0 ± 5.8mm Hg; P = .38). ΔIOP was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (5.0 ± 1.80 vs. 0.20 ± 3.03mm Hg; P = .001). Analysis of gene expression revealed significant upregulation of nitric oxide synthetase (NOS1 and NOS3) and neuroprotective genes with downregulation of proinflammatory genes in Group 1 in comparison to Group 2 (P = .001). MM was associated with significant decrease in IOP and changes in TM gene expression, indicating its direct impact on ocular tissues.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Self-regulation of attentional stance facilitates induction of meditative states Electronic Imaging January 16, 2023
- Understanding the psycho-neuro-endocrine-immunology pathways in glaucoma and their modulation by mindfulness meditation Indian Journal of Ophthalmology September 29, 2026
- Impact of Meditation on Improving Quality of Life Among Glaucoma Patients: A Study Protocol. Patient related outcome measures 2025
- On the road to resilience: Epigenetic effects of meditation. Vitamins and hormones 2023
- Three potential neurovascular pathways driving the benefits of mindfulness meditation for older adults. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 2023
and 2 more in the library
Cites 6
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Meditation enhances brain oxygenation, upregulates BDNF and improves quality of life in patients with primary open angle glaucoma: A randomized controlled trial Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience October 29, 2018
- Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Intraocular Pressure, Lowers Stress Biomarkers and Modulates Gene Expression in Glaucoma: A Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of glaucoma September 25, 2018
- Yoga- and meditation-based lifestyle intervention increases neuroplasticity and reduces severity of major depressive disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience 2018
- Short-term meditation increases blood flow in anterior cingulate cortex and insula. Frontiers in Psychology 2015
and 1 more in the library