Preliminary Findings on the Optimization of Visual Performance in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Biofeedback Training

Author(s)

Barboni, Mirella T. S. ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Recsan, Zsuzsanna ^{[2, 3]} ; Szepessy, Zsuzsanna ^{[2, 3]} ; Ecsedy, Monika ^[2] ; Nagy, Balazs Vince ^{[1, 4]} ; Ventura, Dora F. ^[1] ; Nagy, Zoltan Zsolt ^[2] ; Nemeth, Janos ^{[2, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Expt Psychol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Semmelweis Univ, Dept Ophthalmol, Maria U 39, H-1085 Budapest - Hungary

^[3] Bion Innovat Ctr, Budapest - Hungary

^[4] Budapest Univ Technol & Econ, Dept Mech Opt & Mech Engn Informat, Budapest - Hungary

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: APPLIED PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY AND BIOFEEDBACK; v. 44, n. 1, p. 61-70, MAR 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Biofeedback training has been used to improve fixation stability in subjects with central vision loss, but the psychophysiological mechanisms underlying the functional improvements resulted was not reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of microperimetric biofeedback training on different visual functions and self-reported quality of vision in subjects with age-related macular degeneration. This case-control study included six subjects (72.0 +/- 6.1years of age) diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (wet or dry) with low vision (best corrected visual acuity ranging from 0.5 to 0.1 in the study eye) and five healthy volunteers (64.2 +/- 3.7years of age). Ophthalmological and functional examinations were obtained from all subjects twice with an approximately 3-month interval. Subjects with central vision loss performed 12 sessions (10min each) of biofeedback training between the two examinations. Functional evaluation included: microperimetry, spatial luminance contrast sensitivities, color vision thresholds, visual acuity, and reading speed. Visual performance during daily activities was also assessed using a standardized questionnaire. The ratio (2nd/1st examination) of the spatial luminance contrast sensitivity at lower spatial frequencies were much higher for the training subjects compared with the controls. In addition, self-reported quality of vision improved after the training. The significant improvement of the visual function such as spatial luminance contrast sensitivity may explain the better self-reported quality of vision. Possible structural and physiological mechanisms underlying this neuromodulation are discussed. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/04538-3 - Dystrophin and the human visual system: study of the visual phenotypes of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients
• Grantee: Dora Selma Fix Ventura
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/22007-5 - Optimization of the visual functional ability in patients with macular diseases using visual training programs
• Grantee: Mirella Telles Salgueiro Barboni
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research