Acupuncture for the Treatment of Vision Loss Due to Retinitis Pigmentosa
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Ocular |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Ophthalmology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 10 - Any |
| Updated: | 3/1/2014 |
| Start Date: | April 2012 |
| End Date: | December 2013 |
| Contact: | Ava K Bittner, OD, PhD |
| Email: | abittne1@jhmi.edu |
| Phone: | 410-502-6430 |
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) patients are interested in trying alternative therapies to attempt
to slow, halt or reverse the retinal disease process, and claim success with some approaches
such as acupuncture, but this potential treatment has not been put to the test of objective,
rigorous scientific study conducted in western society. In this pilot study, the
investigators aim to evaluate an acupuncture treatment tailored to the RP population for its
feasibility to improve visual function, specifically visual field and dark adaptation. The
study results may provide a basis for eye care providers' recommendations to RP patients
regarding whether to consider acupuncture as a potential treatment modality. If our
hypotheses regarding improvements in vision beyond typical test variability are supported,
our future research goals include the conduct of a larger clinical trial with involving
randomization and a placebo control for acupuncture in RP.
to slow, halt or reverse the retinal disease process, and claim success with some approaches
such as acupuncture, but this potential treatment has not been put to the test of objective,
rigorous scientific study conducted in western society. In this pilot study, the
investigators aim to evaluate an acupuncture treatment tailored to the RP population for its
feasibility to improve visual function, specifically visual field and dark adaptation. The
study results may provide a basis for eye care providers' recommendations to RP patients
regarding whether to consider acupuncture as a potential treatment modality. If our
hypotheses regarding improvements in vision beyond typical test variability are supported,
our future research goals include the conduct of a larger clinical trial with involving
randomization and a placebo control for acupuncture in RP.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 10+
- Diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa
- Best-corrected visual acuity better than 20/400 in at least one eye
- More than 20% loss of Goldmann Visual Field area (III4e) in at least one eye
- Able and willing to participate in all study visits in Baltimore for the 8-week
program
- Provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Very severe vision losses in both eyes (e.g., hand motions or light perception only)
with difficulty performing the proposed vision tests
- Vision loss due to ocular diseases other than RP, cystoid macular edema, or cataracts
- Schedules do not permit participation in all study visits
- Previous acupuncture treatment in the last 6 months
- Inability to understand study procedures or communicate responses to visual stimuli
in a consistent manner (cognitive impairment)
- Dementia; Long or short-term memory loss
- Unable to read or speak English
- Smoking, substance abuse, or illegal drug use
- Receiving current psychiatric care (i.e. unstable emotional and mental health status)
- History of excessive bleeding
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