Glaucoma Rehabilitation with Action ViDeo Games and Exercise - GRADE

Launched by THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY · Aug 13, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The GRADE trial is studying a new and fun way to help people with glaucoma, a condition that affects their vision, especially their peripheral (side) view. The goal is to improve mobility and balance in patients who are at a higher risk of falling due to their vision loss. This trial is looking for people aged 20 to 29 who have moderate to severe glaucoma and stable vision loss. To be eligible, participants should have good central vision, meaning they can see well straight ahead, and should have no major cognitive problems.

If you join the trial, you will take part in activities that combine video games and exercise designed to enhance your movement and help you feel more confident while walking. This innovative approach aims to reduce the fear of falling and improve your overall quality of life. The GRADE trial is currently recruiting participants, and it's an exciting opportunity to contribute to research that could benefit not just people with glaucoma, but others with different types of visual impairments as well.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Presence of moderate to severe bilateral glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) from primary open-angle (including normal tension) or angle-closure glaucoma, as determined by an ophthalmologist, with abnormal Glaucoma Hemifield Test on standard Humphrey Field Analyzer 24-2 testing and matching nerve-fiber layer thinning on optical coherence tomography;
• • 2. Stable vision and visual field loss for at least 3 months;
• • 3. With a best-corrected distance acuity of 6/12 or better (equivalent to 0.3 logMAR acuity or better to confirm that participant's central vision is preserved);
• • 4. With a cognitive functional score of 22 or above in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Hong Kong version (to confirm participants' intact cognitive function).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Advanced glaucoma with GON of median deviation worse than -25 decibel;
• • 2. Ocular diseases other than glaucoma (e.g., age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and moderate to severe cataract);
• • 3. Severe medical problems (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease) or self-reported neurological (e.g. brain surgery, brain tumor and peripheral neuropathy), or cognitive disorders (e.g., diagnosed dementia or cognitive impairment);
• • 4. Physical impairments (e.g. need the use of orthopedic and mobility aids) or physical limitations restricting them from independent walking;
• • 5. Self-reported or medically diagnosed vestibular/ cerebellar dysfunction, history of vertigo, or severe hearing loss;
• • 6. Using any medications for any neurological conditions or psychiatric drugs (e.g. sedative, hypnotic) that might interfere motor control; and
• • 7. Currently attending any intensive physical/balance training.