Using a mindfulness-based breathing technique reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) and serum cortisol levels and improves autonomic dysfunction in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), a study found.
In this randomised, controlled, interventional trial, 40 subjects were asked to adopt the 365-breathing technique (three daily sessions of breathing at a rate of six cycles per minute – five seconds inhaling, five seconds exhaling – for five minutes) in addition to their pharmacological glaucoma treatment. The 40 control participants continued with their pharmacological treatment only.
Comparing IOP, serum cortisol levels, heart-rate variability and heart-rate response between the two groups at baseline and during a six-week follow-up visit, researchers found the group using the breathing technique had significantly lower mean IOP (11% reduction) and serum cortisol. They also demonstrated improved autonomic dysfunction.
