A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness in Recovery from Colorectal Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether a 4-week group-based mindfulness intervention would be superior in reducing psychological distress in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients compared to a psychoeducation and cognitive behavioural skills learning support active control group. METHODS: Patients with CRC were randomized via Computerised Permuted Block Randomisation to mindfulness or active control groups (2-h weekly sessions over 4 weeks). Outcomes were measured pre-intervention, and 8 weeks and 6 months post-baseline. The primary outcome was psychological distress measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Secondary outcomes were generic quality of life (QoL), disease specific QoL, mindfulness, and intervention credibility and acceptability. RESULTS: Sixty-eight participants were randomized to mindfulness (n=35) or active control group (n=33). Uptake of potentially eligible patients consenting was low (28.0%) and the dropout rate was 33.8%. Depression scores were reduced in both groups at week 8 (P=0.020). Control participants had greater improvement in generic mental QoL scores at week 8 than mindfulness (P=0.023). In disease specific QoL, there was reduction in impotence symptom in the mindfulness group (P=0.022) and reduction in faecal incontinence in the control group (P=0.019). The embarrassment symptom had a significantly lower increase in the mindfulness group at week 8 compared to the control group (P=0.009). Both groups rated the treatments as credible and acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness was not superior to the active control group in terms of alleviating psychological distress but both treatments were associated with some improvements in depression. There was low uptake of both interventions. (Trial registration number: ACTRN12616001033437).

What Next After MBSR/MBCT? An Open Trial of an 8-Week Follow-on Program Exploring Mindfulness of Feeling Tone (vedana).

Objectives: The effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) has been established in many randomized controlled trials. However, effect sizes are often modest, and there remains ample scope to improve their effectiveness. One approach to this challenge is to offer a "follow-on" course to people who have completed an MBP and are interested in further skill development. We developed and tested a new 8-week course for this purpose based on awareness of feeling tone (vedana), an understudied aspect of mindfulness in many current MBPs, incorporating new developments in neuroscience and trauma sensitivity. We examined its effectiveness and the frequency and severity of unpleasant experience and harm. Methods: In an open trial, 83 participants, 78 of whom had previously taken part in an MBP (majority MBSR or MBCT), completed the program in nine groups. Participants completed questionnaires before and after and gave qualitative written feedback at completion. Results: Participants reported significantly reduced depression (d = 0.56), stress (d = 0.36), and anxiety (d = 0.53) and increased well-being (d = 0.54) and mindfulness (d = 0.65) with 38% meeting criteria for reliable change on anxiety and depression. As expected, about three-quarters of participants reported some unpleasant experiences associated with mindfulness practice during the course, but none reported harm. Five participants showed "reliable deterioration" (an increase) in either depression or anxiety, but four of these five also gave anonymous qualitative feedback describing benefits of the course. Conclusions: Findings support the added value of a follow-on course based on the exploration of feeling tone for participants who have a range of previous mindfulness experience. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12671-022-01929-0.

The Effect of a Diving Mask on Intraocular Pressure in a Healthy Population.

PURPOSE: Swimming goggles increase the intraocular pressure (IOP) via the periorbital frame pressure and suction effect. In comparison, diving masks have a larger frame rim and incorporate the nose. The exact effect(s) of diving masks on IOP is unknown. This study evaluates the influence of diving masks on IOP in normal, healthy subjects. METHODS: Tonometry was performed in both eyes of all subjects with an AVIA(®)Tono-Pen by a single investigator. Measurements were taken at baseline without the diving mask and with the subjects wearing a small-volume, double-window diving mask, but with the mask lenses removed. Two IOP readings in each eye were measured, and an additional reading was measured if the difference between the initial 2 was ≥2 mm Hg. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was also measured in each eye, using a contact pachymeter (OcuScan(®)Alcon). RESULTS: Forty eyes of 20 healthy volunteers (age 29.7 ± 9.3 years; range 21-52) were included. The mean CCT was 544.4 ± 43.5 µm. The mean IOP before the diving mask was worn had been 17.23 ± 2.18 mm Hg (n = 40). The IOP decreased by 0.43 mm Hg (p $1003c; 0.05) to 16.80 ± 2.57 mm Hg after the diving mask had been put on. There was no correlation between IOP change and age (r = 0.143, p = 0.337), gender (r = -0.174, p = 0.283) or CCT (r = -0.123, p = 0.445). CONCLUSION: There was no increase in IOP after the diving mask had been worn. A small but statistically significant decrease in IOP was observed. This study demonstrates that unlike swimming goggles, the strap tension and frame pressure on the periorbital tissue from a diving mask does not increase IOP. Diving masks may be a suitable alternative to swimming goggles for patients with advanced glaucoma or glaucoma filtration surgery.

Factors influencing the output of rural cataract surgical facilities in China: the SHARP study.

PURPOSE: To identify factors associated prospectively with increased cataract surgical rate (CSR) in rural Chinese hospitals. METHODS: Annual cataract surgical output was obtained at baseline and 24 months later from operating room records at 42 rural, county-level hospitals. Total local CSR (cases/million population/y), and proportion of CSR from hospital and local competitors were calculated from government records. Hospital administrators completed questionnaires providing demographic and professional information, and annual clinic and outreach screening volume. Independent cataract surgeons provided clinical information and videotapes of cases for grading by two masked experts using the Ophthalmology Surgical Competency Assessment Rubric (OSCAR). Uncorrected vision was recorded for 10 consecutive cataract cases at each facility, and 10 randomly-identified patients completed hospital satisfaction questionnaires. Total value of international nongovernmental development organization (INGDO) investment in the previous three years and demographic information on hospital catchment areas were obtained. Main outcome was 2-year percentage change in hospital CSR. RESULTS: Among the 42 hospitals (median catchment population 530,000, median hospital CSR 643), 78.6% (33/42) were receiving INGDO support. Median change in hospital CSR (interquartile range) was 33.3% (-6.25%, 72.3%). Predictors of greater increase in CSR included higher INGDO investment (P = 0.02, simple model), reducing patient dissatisfaction (P = 0.03, simple model), and more outreach patient screening (P = 0.002, simple and multiple model). CONCLUSIONS: Outreach cataract screening was the strongest predictor of increased surgical output. Government and INGDO investment in screening may be most likely to enhance output of county hospitals, a major goal of China's Blindness Prevention Plan.

Performance of the Moorfields motion displacement test for identifying eyes with glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The Moorfields Motion Displacement Test (MMDT; Enhanced Standard Threshold Algorithm [ESTA] version 1, London, UK) is a new 31-point suprathreshold test for visual field assessment using moving line stimuli displayed on a standard laptop computer. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of the MMDT for discriminating between healthy eyes and eyes with glaucoma. DESIGN: Evaluation of diagnostic technology. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-eight subjects with glaucoma and 348 healthy subjects. METHODS: All participants underwent a standardized ophthalmologic examination, including the MMDT and Heidelberg Retina Tomography (HRT; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) scanning of the optic disc. The diagnosis of glaucoma was based on clinical examination with glaucomatous optic neuropathy defined by the presence of neuroretinal rim thinning, notching or excavation of the cup, cup-to-disc asymmetry between eyes of 0.25 or more, nerve fiber layer thinning (focal or diffuse), or a combination thereof; and HRT-based Moorfields Regression Analysis (MRA) results of outside normal limits in any sector. Normal eyes were defined as clinically having healthy neuroretinal rims and an MRA analysis of within normal limits in all sectors. The MMDT used a Pandora response version of the ESTA without optical correction. Subjects with a false-positive response of 15% or more in MMDT were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The performance of the global probability of true damage (global PTD) for diagnosing glaucoma was assessed by sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The global PTD was calculated as a sum of individual PTD values, ranging from 0% to 100% for all 31 visual locations, and was expressed as a quotient of 100. RESULTS: Seventy-eight subjects with glaucoma (mean age, 66.6±13.1 years; male gender, 55.1%) and 348 healthy subjects (mean age, 55.2±9.2 years; male gender, 35.3%) were analyzed. The AUC for the global PTD was 0.930 (95% confidence interval, 0.893-0.967) for diagnosing glaucoma. At 85% specificity, the MMDT demonstrated a sensitivity of 88.5%. This decreased to 83.3% at 95% specificity. At the global PTD cutoff point value of 2.0, the sensitivity was 85.9% and the specificity was 94.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The suprathreshold MMDT showed good diagnostic performance for diagnosing glaucoma when glaucoma was defined by a structural criterion.

A review of the medical treatment of pediatric glaucomas at Moorfields Eye Hospital.

PURPOSE: To report on the medical treatments used for pediatric glaucomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series consisting of reviewing the medical notes of pediatric glaucoma patients under the care of the Glaucoma Service at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The medical notes of 200 patients were selected. The following outcomes were assessed: (1) the use of individual medical therapies; (2) the intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction effect of individual medicines; (3) the reporting of side effects. RESULTS: Medicines were prescribed 1592 times (200 patients). The median % IOP reduction for latanoprost 50 mcg/mL was -17.2% and for the topical beta blockers was -17.7% (as monotherapy), with no statistical difference in IOP-lowering effect between all the medicines (P=0.19). Side effects were reported in 19.5% of all patients-the highest occurrence with brimonidine tartrate 0.2% (in 17% patients) and the lowest occurrence with the prostaglandin analogue and prostamide medicines (in 3.8% patients). The combination of dorzolamide hydrochloride 2%, timolol maleate 0.5% had the greatest persistence of 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The IOP-lowering effects of all the glaucoma medicines were not significantly different although the combination of dorzolamide hydrochloride 2%, timolol maleate 0.5% had the greatest persistence.

Factors influencing the success of rural cataract surgery programs in China: the study of hospital administration and relative productivity (SHARP).

PURPOSE: To explore factors potentially influencing the success or failure of rural Chinese hospitals in increasing cataract surgical output and quality. METHODS: Focus groups (FGs, n = 10) were conducted with hospital administrators, doctors, and nurses at 28 county hospitals in Guangdong Province. Discussions explored respondents' views on increasing surgical volume and quality and improving patient satisfaction. Respondents numerically ranked possible strategies to increase surgical volume and quality and patient satisfaction. FG transcripts were independently coded by two reviewers utilizing the constant comparative method following the grounded theory approach, and numerical responses were scored and ranked. RESULTS: Ten FGs and 77 ranking questionnaires were completed by 33 administrators, 23 doctors, and 21 nurses. Kappa values for the two coders were greater than 0.7 for all three groups. All groups identified a critical need for enhanced management training for hospital directors. Doctors and nurses suggested reducing surgical fees to enhance uptake, although administrators were resistant to this. Although doctors saw the need to improve equipment, administrators felt current material conditions were adequate. Respondents agreed that patient satisfaction was generally high, and did not view increasing patient satisfaction as a priority. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight agreements and disagreements among the three stakeholder groups about improving surgical output and quality, which can inform strategies to improve cataract programs in rural China. Respondents' beliefs about high patient satisfaction are not in accord with other studies in the area, highlighting a potential area for intervention.

Classification algorithms enhance the discrimination of glaucoma from normal eyes using high-definition optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of classification algorithms based on Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and Classification And Regression Tree (CART) methods, compared with optic nerve head (ONH) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) parameters measured by high-definition optical coherence tomography (Cirrus HD-OCT) for discriminating glaucoma subjects. METHODS: Consecutive glaucoma subjects (Training data = 184; Validation data = 102) were recruited from an eye center and normal subjects (n = 508) from an ongoing Singaporean Chinese population-based study. ONH and RNFL parameters were measured using a 200 × 200 scan protocol. LDA and CART were computed and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) compared. RESULTS: Average RNFL thickness (AUC 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91, 0.93), inferior RNFL thickness (AUC 0.92, 95% CI 0.91, 0.93), vertical cup-disc ratio (AUC 0.91, 95% CI 0.90, 0.92) and rim area/disc area ratio (AUC 0.90, 95% CI 0.86, 0.93) discriminated glaucoma better than other parameters (P ≤ 0.033). LDA (AUC 0.96, 95% CI 0.95, 0.96) and CART (0.98, 95% CI 0.98, 0.99) outperformed all parameters for diagnostic accuracy (P ≤ 0.005). Misclassification rates in LDA (8%) and CART (5.6%) were found to be low. The AUC of LDA for the validation data was 0.98 (0.95, 0.99) and CART was 0.99 (0.99, 0.994). CART discriminated mild glaucoma from normal better than LDA (AUC 0.94 vs. 0.99, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Classification algorithms based on LDA and CART can be used in HD-OCT analysis for glaucoma discrimination. The CART method was found to be superior to individual ONH and RNFL parameters for early glaucoma discrimination.

The concave iris in pigment dispersion syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To visualize the changes of the iris contour in patients with pigment dispersion syndrome after blinking, accommodation, and pharmacologic miosis using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. DESIGN: Observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 33 eyes of 20 patients with pigment dispersion syndrome. METHODS: Each eye was imaged along the horizontal 0- to 180-degree meridian using the Visante Anterior Segment Imaging System (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). Scans were performed at baseline and after focusing on an internal fixation target for 5 minutes, forced blinking, accommodation, and pharmacologic miosis with pilocarpine 2%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quantitative analysis of the changes in the iris configuration. RESULTS: After 5 minutes of continual fixation, the iris became planar with the mean ± standard deviation curvature decreasing from 214 ± 74 µm to 67 ± 76 µm (P < 0.05). The iris remained planar in all patients with pigment dispersion syndrome after forced blinking, but the iris concavity recovered to 227 ± 113 µm (P = 0.34) and 238 ± 119 µm (P = 0.19) with the -3.0 and -6.0 diopter lenses, respectively. Pilocarpine-induced miosis caused the iris to assume a planar configuration in all subjects. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the iris in pigment dispersion syndrome assumes a planar configuration when fixating and that the concavity of the iris surface is not restored by blinking. Accommodation restored the iris concavity, suggesting that the posterior curvature of the iris in pigment dispersion syndrome is induced and probably maintained, at least in part, by accommodation.

The utility of symptoms in identification of primary angle-closure in a high-risk population.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the frequency of symptoms associated with primary angle closure in an East Asian population with high rates of disease. DESIGN: Population-based survey. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand adults from rural and urban provinces of Mongolia were examined. METHODS: A standard questionnaire was used to determine a history of symptoms of angle closure. All participants underwent applanation tonometry, gonioscopy, and slit-lamp examination by the same observer. The frequency of symptoms was compared between normal subjects and those in 3 high-risk or affected groups: gonioscopically confirmed occludable angles, peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) detected on gonioscopy, and anterior chamber depth of less than 2.5 mm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The frequency of symptoms associated with primary angle closure. RESULTS: Symptoms of visual disturbance and ocular pain traditionally linked with angle closure were reported frequently by both normal and potentially affected people. Intermittent blurring of vision at night was the only common symptom of angle closure that was significantly more frequent in people with narrow angles and PAS (P = 0.004, 48.4% vs. 31.0% narrow angles; P = 0.001, 54.3% vs. 30.6% PAS), but not in those with shallow anterior chambers (P = 0.670, 38.3% vs. 30.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Direct questioning about symptoms associated with angle closure identified high rates of positive responses in both affected and unaffected groups. Although the rate of symptoms tended to be higher in affected people, none of these symptoms were specific enough to be considered useful as a diagnostic criterion.

Amount-dependent temporal discounting?

Amount-dependent temporal discounting has been demonstrated for human choice between outcomes differing in amount and delay. In the only study to date with non-humans, Grace reported no evidence for amount-dependent temporal discounting with pigeons in a concurrent-chains procedure. The present experiments repeated Grace's procedure but with modifications to enhance the discrimination between small and large magnitude outcomes. In Experiment 1, sensitivity of pigeons' initial-link choice to the terminal link delay ratio was greater with large reinforcer durations in the terminal links than with small reinforcer durations. This result is consistent with a greater rate of temporal discounting for larger reinforcers (the reverse of the result for humans), but can also be explained as enhanced discrimination of delay ratios with larger reinforcer durations. The results of a second experiment supported Grace's conclusion that amount-dependent temporal discounting does not characterize pigeons' choice in concurrent chains. Because reinforcer amount was held constant between choice alternatives in the present experiments and that of Grace, but varied in the human studies, our results question whether prior demonstrations of amount-dependent discounting reflect the effects of reinforcer delay or of reinforcer amount. Differences in the procedures used to study discounting in humans (titration procedures) and non-humans (concurrent chains) may contribute to the divergent results across species.