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Taking people in Hong KongNo phase

Tests brain stimulation with vision training in people with glaucoma

Tests electrical brain stimulation combined with vision training in adults with glaucoma.

Key facts

Who runs it
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Where
Hong Kong, Hong KongSee the site
Trial code
Registry title
Glaucoma Rehabilitation Using ElectricAI Transcranial Stimulation (GREAT) - Randomized Controlled Trial Using Combined Perceptual Learning and Transcranial Electrical Stimulation for Vision Enhancement
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
144 people, planned
Started
15 May 2023
Expected to end
31 Dec 2026
Type of study
Interventional, 3 groupsOne group gets a placebo (a dummy treatment), for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • Real-PL training + Real-tES(tDCS)
  • Real-PL training + Sham-tES (tDCS)
  • Placebo-PL training + Sham-tES (tDCS)
Record updated
29 October 2024

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with glaucoma who have lost part of their side vision in both eyes but still see well in the centre. It tests vision training combined with gentle brain stimulation.

Age
18 to 80 years
Sex
All sexes can join
Disease stage
Primary open angle or normal tension glaucoma with a relative scotoma in both eyes. Visual field loss (mean deviation of -6dB) within the central 24 degrees in at least one eye. Central vision must be good (6/12 or better). Vision and visual field loss stable for at least 3 months.
Biomarker or test result
Cognitive score of 22 or above on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Hong Kong version (HK-MoCA)

Main reasons for not taking part

  • Other eye diseases besides glaucoma (for example macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, moderate to severe cataract) or severe hearing problems
  • Severe medical problems (for example stroke, Parkinson's disease), neurological problems or cognitive disorders such as dementia
  • Dizziness or balance problems (vestibular or cerebellar dysfunction, history of vertigo)
  • Medicines for neurological conditions or psychiatric drugs that might affect motor control
  • Reasons that make non-invasive brain stimulation unsafe

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 11 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Age range from 18 to 80 years
  • Diagnosis of primary open angle or normal tension glaucoma with relative scotoma in both eyes
  • A relative scotoma defined as a Humphrey Field Analyser (HFA) threshold perimetry loss (mean deviation of -6dB) within the central 24 degree of the visual field for at least one eye
  • Best-corrected distance visual acuity of 6/12 or better (equivalent to 0.3 logMAR acuity or better to confirm that participant's central vision is preserved)
  • Stable vision and visual field loss for at least 3 months
  • With a cognitive functional score of 22 or above in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Hong Kong version (HK-MoCA) (to confirm participant's intact cognitive function)

Who cannot take part

  • Severe medical problems (e.g. stroke, Parkinson's disease) or self-reported neurological (e.g. brain surgery, brain tumor, peripheral neuropathy), or cognitive disorders (e.g. diagnosed dementia or cognitive impairment)
  • Self-reported vestibular or cerebellar dysfunction, history of vertigo
  • Using any medications for any neurological conditions or psychiatric drugs (e.g. sedative, hypnotic) that might interfere motor control
  • Ocular diseases other than glaucoma (e.g. age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, moderate to severe cataract) or severe hearing impairment (to ensure that participant can hear the instructions clearly during assessments and training)
  • Contraindications for non-invasive brain stimulation

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

  • Are you between 18 and 80 years old?

Where in Hong Kong

  • The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityHong Kong, Hong KongContact: Allen Cheong, PhDTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

Glaucoma is a complex disease that can result in progressive vision loss. It is the second leading cause of blindness, accounting for 23% of permanent blindness in Hong Kong. There are no treatments that restore vision lost to glaucoma. However, recent studies have shown that vision can be improved by perceptual learning (PL) and transcranial electrical stimulation (tES). This study will examine the effect of perceptual learning and tES on improving quality of life, visual function and functional performance in patients with peripheral field loss due to glaucoma. It is phase 2 of Glaucoma Rehabilitation Using ElectricAI Transcranial Stimulation (GREAT) project.

The 3 groups in the trial

  • Real-PL + Real-tES (tDCS)Treatment being tested

    Participant will receive 30 training sessions with real PL and real tES (tDCS): 3-4 sessions per week, about 1 hour per session

    Treatment: Real-PL training + Real-tES(tDCS)

  • Real-PL + Sham-tES (tDCS)Treatment being tested

    Participant will receive 30 training sessions with real PL and sham tES (tDCS): 3-4 sessions per week, about 1 hour per session

    Treatment: Real-PL training + Sham-tES (tDCS)

  • Placebo-PL + Sham-tES (tDCS)Placebo, for comparison

    Participant will receive 30 training sessions with placebo PL and sham tES (tDCS): 3-4 sessions per week , about 1 hour per session

    Treatment: Placebo-PL training + Sham-tES (tDCS)

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
Improving Vision and Quality of Life in Patients With Glaucoma Using Non-invasive Brain Stimulation and Perceptual Learning: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Plain-language title
Tests brain stimulation with vision training in people with glaucomaGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Fit questions
Built from NCT05874258, who can take part
Record updated
29 October 2024