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Manipulating Temporal Expectations to Accelerate Recovery After Cataract Surgery
Sponsor: Harvard University
Summary
This study tested whether changing how quickly patients expect to heal after cataract surgery changes how quickly their vision recovers. Adults having cataract surgery in both eyes were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups watched a short video of their surgeon before each surgery and completed short daily surveys afterwards. In one group, the video gave somewhat faster recovery timeframes and the surveys asked patients to notice day-to-day changes in their vision. In the other group, the video gave standard recovery timeframes and the surveys asked about activities and mood. Visual acuity was measured at routine clinic visits 1 day, 1 to 2 weeks, and 3 months after surgery.
Official title: Effect of Healing Time Expectations on Actual Healing Times Following Cataract Surgery
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
60 Years - 80 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
147
Start Date
2024-10-05
Completion Date
2026-07-06
Last Updated
2026-10-27
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Faster-timeline video and healing-attention surveys
Preoperative video of the participant's surgeon giving recovery timeframes shifted earlier than standard: blurry vision for 24 to 48 hours; noticeable improvement within 24 hours and by 5 to 7 days; irritation and light sensitivity resolving within 7 to 14 days. Watched 1 day before each surgery, followed by quiz questions on the timeframes. Then up to 10 daily surveys after each surgery, starting 48 hours post-surgery, asking participants to rate changes in vision, discomfort and daily function compared with the previous day.
Standard-timeline video and matched surveys
Preoperative video of the same surgeon giving standard recovery timeframes: blurry vision for up to 48 hours; noticeable improvement within 48 hours and by 1 week; irritation and light sensitivity resolving within a couple of weeks. Same schedule and quiz format. Then up to 10 daily surveys after each surgery, matched in number and length, asking about activities, rest and current mood, not healing.
Locations (2)
Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Ophthalmic Consultants of Vermont
South Burlington, Vermont, United States