Battlefield Acupuncture as a Treatment Option for Chronic Tinnitus: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Integrative and Complementary Medicine
• Audiology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Tinnitus is a prevalent condition, particularly among service members and veterans, with no established cure.
• Battlefield acupuncture (BFA) is a low-cost intervention used for pain and stress management.
• Chronic tinnitus significantly impacts quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the safety and efficacy of Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) for managing chronic tinnitus perception and coping.
• To assess changes in tinnitus severity and impact in patients receiving BFA treatment over a 6-month period.

Main Methods:

• Eight patients with chronic tinnitus received two BFA treatments over 2 weeks.
• Patients completed validated questionnaires (Tinnitus Functional Index, Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) at baseline and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months post-treatment.
• Statistical analysis using restricted maximum likelihood hierarchical regression modeling evaluated changes in questionnaire scores over time.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) and Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire (TRQ) scores were observed at 1 month post-treatment.
• These improvements in tinnitus impact and distress persisted through 2- and 4-month follow-ups.
• TRQ scores remained significantly reduced at the 6-month follow-up, indicating sustained psychological benefit.

Conclusions:

• Battlefield acupuncture (BFA) shows potential for short-term benefits in reducing psychological distress and impact associated with chronic tinnitus.
• The study highlights the need for further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods to confirm these findings.
• Future studies should explore extended BFA treatment protocols and comparative effectiveness against other tinnitus management strategies.