Acupuncture for tinnitus management

Fifty-six patients with continuous and severe tinnitus as their major complaint were treated with traditional Chinese acupuncture. After a pre-treatment period with baseline evaluation of tinnitus, 10 treatments were given during a period of 20 days, followed by a post-treatment period in order to obtain indications of prolonged treatment effects. Assessments were made using visual analogue scales (VAS) and a verbal retrospective rating scale. Three patients reported improvement which lasted for at least 10 days after the last treatment, indicating a possible long-term effect in some cases. Twenty-one percent of the patients reported transient intensity reductions lasting for hours/days. Estimated 'substantial' improvement rate by VAS, consistent for all three parameters involved (intensity, annoyance, awareness), was 20%, while the corresponding deterioration rate was 25%. Statistical analysis of the whole group did not show any significant general treatment effects. Interactions between treatment evaluations by verbal rating and VAS are discussed as well as interactions with psychological components.