The Effect of Varied Microperimetric Biofeedback Training in Central Vision Loss: A Randomized Trial.

SIGNIFICANCE

This investigation reports for the first time the effects of different microperimetric biofeedback strategies in visually impaired subjects with central field loss.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two MP-3 microperimeter biofeedback strategies on the visual performance of subjects with central vision loss. Moreover, changes between the groups were compared to provide indications of practice with biofeedback stimulation in subjects with central vision loss.

METHODS

Using simple randomization, 19 participants were trained according to two different biofeedback stimulation approaches using the MP-3 microperimeter. Patients were assigned to two different groups: subjects trained for 2 days a week (group A) and 3 days a week (group B). The patients in each group were randomized to perform a total of 10 or 15 sessions.

RESULTS

Fixation stability increased from 4.5 ± 2.8 to 2.3 ± 2.2° 2 and from 8.2 ± 6.9 to 1.4 ± 1° 2 after 2 and 3 weekly biofeedback training sessions, respectively ( P < .05). Biofeedback training induced a significant improvement of 40.7 and 29.4% in reading speed for groups A and B, respectively ( P < .05). A comparison of two weekly biofeedback training sessions with three weekly biofeedback sessions demonstrated greater fixation stability in group B ( P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study concludes that a biofeedback intervention is effective in enhancing oculomotor control in patients with central vision loss. In our study, a more intensive biofeedback strategy seemed to produce significantly better results in terms of functional vision parameters.