Automatic Self Transcending Meditation (ASTM) for Patients With Severe Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related Macular Degeneration, Low Vision
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Age-related Macular Degeneration
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- at least 50 years of age,
- have severe AMD
- deemed competent such as no language issues or communication barriers, no self-reported or physician diagnosed mental health disorder besides having depressive and anxiety symptoms
- have sufficient hearing to be able to follow verbal instructions and able to sit without physical discomfort for 30 minutes
- willing and able to attend 4 initial ASTM training sessions and at least 75% of weekly, bi-weekly and monthly follow up sessions
- willing to dedicate 20 minutes twice per day to ASTM practice at their own home.
Exclusion Criteria:
- actively suicidal as per self-report (scoring 2 or more on item 9 of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) or on assessment by the physician
- they are currently participating in other similar studies
- currently practicing any type of formal meditation regularly
- unable or unwilling to answer survey questions.
Sites / Locations
- St. Joseph's Hospital, Ivey Eye Institute
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Placebo Comparator
Automatic Self Transcending Meditation
Treatment as Usual
Participants in the ASTM group will undergo training in groups of 10 by certified teachers. Further, the following self-rated scales will be administered by a trained rater at the fourth ASTM session (week 0) as well as at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 24: Time Trade-off (TTO), Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7).
Participants will continue to receive their treatment as usual. The following self-rated scales will be administered by a trained rater at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12 and 24: TTO, VFQ-25, PHQ-9, and GAD-7.