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Published on: August 24, 2017
[Music therapy for noisiform tinnitus. Concept development and evaluation].
H Argstatter1, C Krick, P Plinkert
1Deutsches Zentrum für Musiktherapieforschung (Viktor Dulger Institut), Heidelberg, Deutschland. heike.argstatter@fh-heidelberg.de
HNO
|September 3, 2010
Summary
Music therapy effectively reduces tinnitus symptoms, with over 90% of patients showing improvement. Neuroimaging reveals brain changes, highlighting the importance of sound quality and cardiovascular factors in treatment success.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Music therapy, based on the "Heidelberger model," is an established treatment for chronic tonal tinnitus.
- This approach has been extended to include noisiform tinnitus, incorporating sound quality and cardiovascular factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of music therapy for noisiform tinnitus.
- To investigate the impact of sound quality and cardiovascular influences on treatment outcomes.
- To explore neuroplastic changes associated with the therapy.
Main Methods:
- Music therapy adapted for noisiform tinnitus.
- Assessment of psychological tinnitus load (TQ scores).
- Psychophysiological measurements and brain imaging (putamen, insula).
Main Results:
- Over 90% of patients experienced a reliable reduction in tinnitus symptoms.
- Brain imaging revealed neuroplastic changes in the putamen and insula.
- Cardiovascular influences, particularly heart rate control, were linked to long-term outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Tinnitus therapy success is influenced by tinnitus sound quality.
- Active control of heart rate is a predictor of long-term music therapy success.
- Brain imaging data support a top-down model of tinnitus generation.
