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NCT Number: NCT01944501

Neuromodulation Techniques in the Treatment of Chronic Tinnitus With Hearing Loss

This study aimed at trying transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation as potential treatments to decrease tinnitus in patients with significant hearing loss.

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Key information

Conditions

Tinnitus Ear Diseases Hearing Disorders Hearing Loss Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Sensation Disorders Signs and Symptoms

Age range

45 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Universidade de Brasília

Brasília, Federal District, 70000, Brazil

About this study

Tinnitus is a very common condition and affects approximately 15% of the population, disrupting sleep, emotional balance and social life of the patients. Acoustic deprivation causes hearing loss and is responsible for a cascade of processes that result in the reorganization of the cortex through a synchronization of neuronal activity related to a cortical re-mapping. Consistent with the hypothesis that tinnitus is caused by abnormal activation of the auditory cortex, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can temporarily reduce cortical hyperactivity through direct neuromodulation of the temporal cortex. Furthermore, studies have shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can also suppress tinnitus. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of rTMS and TDCS in the treatment of patients with chronic tinnitus and auditory loss. Methods: We performed an analytical experimental double-blind study using rTMS and tDCS in patients with chronic tinnitus and hearing loss.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • chronic tinnitus
  • hearing loss

Exclusion criteria

  • neurological diseases
  • use of drugs affecting the central nervous system
  • evidence of dementia
  • clinical diagnosis of depression

Treatment and study plan

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

Procedure

TMS over the left temporoparietal cortex

transcranial direct current stimulation

Procedure

TDCS over the left temporoparietal cortex

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores

    Time frame: THI was measured before intervention (baseline) and after 5 daily sessions (day 5)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Visual Analog Scale scores

    Time frame: Visual analog scale of tinnitus was recorded at baseline and after daily 5 TMS or TDCS sessions ( day 5)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Brasilia

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2012
Study completion
2012
First posted
Sep 17, 2013
Registry last updated
Sep 17, 2013

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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