Trial reportPloS one2026
USB-powered vs. self-heating warm compresses for meibomian gland dysfunction: A prospective randomized crossover clinical trial.
Trial report in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07618169 (USB-Powered vs. Self-Heating Warm Compresses for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
USB-Powered vs. Self-Heating Warm Compresses for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Prospective Randomized Crossover Trial
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDry eye syndrome (DES) is a prevalent multifactorial condition characterized by tear film instability and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Warm compress therapy remains a cornerstone for improving lipid layer function. However, very limited comparative data exist on newer USB-powered devices vs. self-heating masks in Middle Eastern populations.
methodsThis randomized crossover clinical trial compared USB-powered and self-heating masks in 15 participants aged 18-40 years with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) associated eye (tear break-up time ≤10 s). Each intervention was scheduled for five consecutive days, separated by a two-week washout. The prespecified primary outcome was non-invasive TBUT measured with the OCULUS Keratograph 4M; tear meniscus height (TMH) and symptom scores were secondary outcomes. A two-way ANOVA and Post-hoc Bonferroni tests adjusted for multiple comparisons were used for analysis. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07618169).
resultsAll 15 participants contributed data to both intervention phases. Across observed visits, the USB-powered device was associated with higher TBUT (likelihood-ratio χ2(1) = 7.43, p = 0.006) and TMH (χ2(1) = 4.49, p = 0.034). Day 5 descriptive means with USB-Powered compress and self-heating mask were 9.53 ± 2.18 s versus 7.21 ± 2.90 s for TBUT, and 0.200 ± 0.020 mm versus 0.188 ± 0.016 mm for TMH, respectively. No significant between-device difference was observed in SPEED scores, although mean scores showed a mild improvement, and no adverse events were reported.
conclusionsUSB-powered warm compresses provided superior outcomes in enhancing tear film stability and volume compared to self-heating masks. Consistent temperature control and reusability make them a promising at-home therapy for patients with MGD. USB-powered devices may be preferred for patients requiring sustained thermal therapy, particularly in arid climates with variable indoor cooling. Further large-scale trials are warranted to confirm these findings. CLINICAL
trial registrationThis trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration number: NCT07618169.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.