The Effects of Mozart on the Visual Field Test in Patients With Glaucoma

Abstract

 

Purpose:

 

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the Mozart Effect on the reliability of the Humphrey Visual Field test (HVF) in subjects with glaucoma. A previous study showed improved reliability in normal subjects undergoing HVF¹.

 

Methods:

 

160 subjects with glaucoma were randomized to three groups: control, noise reducing headphones, or music for 10 minutes before HVF testing. The headphone group was provided noise cancellation headphones but no music. The music group listened to Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D major. After treatment, subjects took a Humphrey SITA Standard 24-2 visual field test in the right eye and then the left eye. The reliability of the test was then compared among the groups and in comparison to prior HVF’s with regards to fixation losses, false positives, and false negatives.

 

Results:

 

The median values for fixation losses did not differ significantly among the three groups (p= 0.30 right eye, and p= 0.24 left eye). There were also no significant differences seen in the rate of false positives (p= 0.82 right eye, and p= 0.18 left eye) or false negatives (p= 0.91 right eye, and p= 0.97 left eye). The reliability of the subject’s HVF was also compared to past fields. No improvements were seen in fixation losses (p= 0.94 right eye, and p= 0.17 left eye), false positives (p= 0.85 right eye, and p= 0.38 left eye), and false negatives (p= 0.13 right eye, and p= 0.50 left eye).

 

Conclusions:

 

The rate of fixation losses, false positives, and false negatives did not improve in subjects with glaucoma after listening to Mozart. The Mozart Effect did not enhance the reliability of the visual field test to a statistically significant degree.1. Fiorelli VM et al. Improved automated perimetry performance following exposure to Mozart. British J Ophthalmol. 2006;90:543-5.  

 

Clinical Trial:

 

www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT01027039

 

Keywords: visual fields • perimetry • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials