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Targeting Tinnitus via Masseter Muscle Stimulation: Innovative Pencil-Electrode TENS Therapy for Bruxism-Associated
Zehra Aydoğan1, Nazife Öztürk Özdeş2, Sevgi Kutlu1
1Audiology Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
Purpose:
This study investigated the effects of pencil-electrode transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) applied to the masseter muscle on tinnitus severity, bruxism-related discomfort, and quality of life in individuals with chronic bruxism-associated tinnitus and normal hearing.
Methods:
Thirty-one adults with normal hearing thresholds (≤ 20 dB HL at 0.5-4 kHz) and chronic subjective tinnitus related to bruxism were randomly assigned to a TENS group (n = 18; mean age: 41.4 ± 11.8 years) or a control group (n = 13; mean age: 36.9 ± 8.8 years). TENS was administered four times per week for 5 weeks. Outcome measures included the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0-10, assessing bruxism-related jaw discomfort and tinnitus severity), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Oral Behavior Checklist (OBC), mandibular range of motion (ROM), and SF-36 Quality of Life Scale. All questionnaires were administered at baseline and after completion of treatment.
Results:
The TENS group demonstrated significant reductions in THI total and subscale scores, VAS bruxism-related discomfort and tinnitus severity, anxiety (GAD-7), and oral parafunctional behaviors (OBC), along with significant improvements in mandibular ROM and SF-36 pain and general health subscales (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the control group.
Conclusion:
Pencil-electrode TENS applied to the masseter muscle appears to be an effective, non-invasive treatment for bruxism-associated tinnitus, potentially acting through somatosensory neuromodulation mechanisms.
