@article{45a6e118fab84e54bc497c0966e9761c,
title = "The effects of a steam warming eye mask on the ocular surface and mental health",
abstract = "Purpose: The continuous use of warming eye masks improves tear function. In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, we aimed to analyze the effects of warming eye mask use on the ocular surface and mental health. Methods: We enrolled 86 participants (age range: 23–89 years) from affiliated institutions who were divided into two groups: the warm group that used warming eye masks that generate moist heat at 40 °C for 10 min and the control group that used non-warming eye masks. The participants used the masks for 10 min once daily for 2 weeks. Before and after the intervention, in 79 participants (warm group 39, control group 40), we analyzed the tear break up time (TBUT) and corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining results in the right eye and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (Anxiety: HADS-A, Depression: HADS-D), and Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) questionnaires. The parameters before and after the intervention were compared via paired-t tests. Results: The following variables changed after the intervention: TBUT (warm group: 1.4 ± 2.1 s vs. control group: −0.01 ± 2.38 s), fluorescein staining score (−0.7 ± 1.1 vs.-0.2 ± 1.1), HADS-A (−0.8 ± 3.1 vs. −0.2 ± 2.2), and HADS-D (−1.0 ± 2.4 vs. −0.4 ± 1.9). Significant changes were observed in the TBUT (warm group), fluorescein staining score (warm group), and HADS-D (warm group). Conclusions: Using a warming eye mask improves not only the ocular surface conditions but also the subjective depression scores.",
keywords = "Depression, Dry eye disease, Quality of life, Self-care, Warming eye masks",
author = "Miki Uchino and Motoko Kawashima and Ryutaro Yamanishi and Sachiko Inoue and Shinichi Kawashima and Kyoko Tagami and Makoto Yoshida and Tohru Sugita and Yuichi Uchino and Kazuo Tsubota",
note = "Funding Information: This study was supported by grant of Personal Health Care Products Research Laboratories, Kao Corporation. The material of this study, including both the warming eye mask and non warming eye mask were supplied at no cost by Kao Corporation, Japan. The sponsor had no role in the design and conduct of the study; in collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; in preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.Ryutaro Yamanishi: None Miki Uchino: Kao Corporation, Financial Support Motoko Kawashima: Kao Corporation, Financial Support Sachiko Inoue: None Shinichi Kawashima: None Kyoko Tagami; Kao Corporation, Employment Makoto Yoshida: None Tohru Sugita: None Yuichi Uchino: None Kazuo Tsubota: Outside the submitted work, Kazuo Tsubota reports his position as CEO of Tsubota Laboratory, Inc., Tokyo, Japan, a company working on treatment, prevention and medical devices for dry eye. Funding Information: This study was supported by grant of Personal Health Care Products Research Laboratories, Kao Corporation . The material of this study, including both the warming eye mask and non warming eye mask were supplied at no cost by Kao Corporation, Japan. The sponsor had no role in the design and conduct of the study; in collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; in preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021",
year = "2021",
month = jul,
doi = "10.1016/j.jtos.2021.05.007",
language = "English",
volume = "21",
pages = "129--133",
journal = "Ocular Surface",
issn = "1542-0124",
publisher = "Ethis Communications, Inc.",
}
