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Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to the Unilateral Hemisphere of Rat Brain
Published on: October 22, 2016
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for tinnitus
Zhaoli Meng1, Shixi Liu, Yun Zheng
1Department of ENT, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610041.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|October 7, 2011
Summary
Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) shows limited effectiveness for tinnitus relief. While some studies suggest short-term safety and potential loudness reduction, more large-scale trials are needed to confirm benefits for tinnitus patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Otolaryngology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Tinnitus is the perception of sound without external acoustic stimuli.
- Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an emerging non-invasive brain stimulation technique.
- rTMS is being investigated for various neuropsychiatric disorders, including tinnitus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of rTMS compared to placebo for tinnitus treatment.
- To analyze outcomes related to quality of life and tinnitus loudness.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing rTMS with sham rTMS.
- Searched multiple databases including Cochrane, PubMed, EMBASE, and others up to May 2011.
- Data extraction and risk of bias assessment performed by independent reviewers.
Main Results:
- Five small RCTs (233 participants) met inclusion criteria; most showed low risk of bias.
- One study indicated a statistically significant improvement in Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores with low-frequency rTMS.
- Pooled data from two studies showed a statistically significant reduction in tinnitus loudness, but with a wide confidence interval.
Conclusions:
- Limited evidence supports low-frequency rTMS for tinnitus quality of life, based on a single study's outcome.
- Short-term safety of rTMS for tinnitus appears promising, but long-term safety data is insufficient.
- Further large-scale, randomized, placebo-controlled trials using standardized measures are necessary to confirm rTMS efficacy for tinnitus.
