| The effects of 8 weeks of yoga therapy on the visual field and color perception of a male with bilateral optic neuritis disorder related to the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine: A case report |
| Paper ID : 1665-SSRC-13TH |
| Authors |
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Elmira Ahmadi * Physical Education Group Faculty of Humanities Tarbiat Modares University |
| Abstract |
| Introduction: In December 2019, the world has been involved in the outbreak of a new virus called Covid-19. AstraZeneca is a vector vaccine designed to protect people against the Sars-Cov-2 virus and to improve the immune system. One of the rare side effects of this vaccine is bilateral optic neuritis (NO). NO is an optic nerve disorder, inflammation and central nervous system (CNS) damage that affects visual function such as visual field and color perception. Yoga a connection between mind and body, is used as a therapeutic intervention for disorders related to the nervous system and enhance mental health and decrease inflation ocular nerve. The aim of this case study was to estimates the effects of yoga therapy on the visual field and color perception of a male with bilateral optic neuritis disorder related to the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. Methodology: A 58-year-old male with no medical history presented from clinic with bilateral NO after received AstraZeneca vaccine. One week after plasmapheresis and discharge from hospital, he attended yoga exercise program (Eye Yoga - Asana - Meditation) with medium intensity, 30 minutes per session, 3 days a week for up to 8 weeks. Before and after intervention, visual field and color perception were measured for both eyes at the Noor Eye hospital, Tehran. The data analysis method was performed by comparing the percentage of changes before and after the training period. Results: Based on the perimetry test, the mean visual field of the left eye increased from -32.17 to -16.75 (48%) and also in the right eye increased from -32.14 to -18.58 (42%). In addition, color perception assessed by Ishihara test improved from 0/00 to 53% (correct answer: 0-18 to 9-18). Discussion and Conclusion: Results of the current study indicated improvement in the visual field and color perception after attending a yoga program. Previous studies have shown that the yoga exercises can increase the volume of the Grey matter, Hippocampus, cerebral cortex, anti-inflammatory cytokines and involvement of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), while it can decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase production of BDNF, ultimately improves optic nerve function. |
| Keywords |
| Keywords: Yoga therapy, Covid-19, Optic neuritis, Vaccination, Perimetry |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
