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Vielsmeier V, van der Loo J, Marcrum SC. [Somatosensory tinnitus]. HNO 2023; 71:731-738. [PMID: 37782343 DOI: 10.1007/s00106-023-01372-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Somatosensory tinnitus represents a clinically significant subgroup of chronic tinnitus. Although not completely understood, increasing evidence suggests interactivity between the somatosensory and auditory systems is responsible for both the development and maintenance of tinnitus. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the evaluation of somatosensory tinnitus and to propose an examination protocol to support the diagnosis and treatment of this patient group. MATERIALS AND METHODS In addition to patient history, various clinical examination maneuvers are presented to establish the diagnosis of somatosensory tinnitus. RESULTS The maneuvers can be divided into examinations of the cervical spine, temporomandibular joint, and soft tissue near the jaw. The maneuvers should be performed in a quiet environment and usually in comparison between sides. CONCLUSION Accurate and efficient diagnosis of somatosensory tinnitus is essential to initiate appropriate treatment. The clinical maneuvers presented here are well suited for this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Vielsmeier
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Deutschland.
| | - Joachim van der Loo
- Abteilung für Physio- und Ergotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg, Deutschland
| | - Steven C Marcrum
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Deutschland
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Michiels S. Somatosensory Tinnitus: Recent Developments in Diagnosis and Treatment. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2023; 24:465-472. [PMID: 37794291 PMCID: PMC10695899 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-023-00912-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Somatosensory tinnitus (ST) is a type of tinnitus where changes in somatosensory input from the head-neck area are one of the influencing factors of a patient's tinnitus. As there are often several influencing factors, identifying a clear somatosensory influence on an individual patient's tinnitus is often a challenge. Therefore, a decision tree using four clinical criteria has been proposed that can help diagnose ST with an accuracy of 82.2%, a sensitivity of 82.5%, and a specificity of 79%. Once correctly diagnosed, patients can be successfully treated using a musculoskeletal physical therapy treatment. This type of treatment can either be directed at cervical spine dysfunctions, temporomandibular disorders, or both and consists of a combination of counseling, exercises, and manual techniques to restore normal function of the cervical spine and temporomandibular area. Other techniques have been suggested but need further investigation in larger RCTs. In most cases, ST treatment shows a decrease in tinnitus severity or loudness, but in rare cases, total remission of the tinnitus is achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Michiels
- REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, BE, Belgium.
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
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Demoen S, Jacquemin L, Timmermans A, Van Rompaey V, Vanderveken O, Vermeersch H, Joossen I, Van Eetvelde J, Schlee W, Marneffe W, Luyten J, Gilles A, Michiels S. Cost-effectiveness of a smartphone Application for Tinnitus Treatment (the CATT trial): a study protocol of a randomised controlled trial. Trials 2022; 23:435. [PMID: 35606823 PMCID: PMC9125968 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06378-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tinnitus is a highly prevalent symptom, affecting 10-15% of the adult population. Tinnitus influenced by alterations in somatosensory afference from the neck or jaw is referred to as somatic tinnitus (ST). ST is known to respond positively to physiotherapy treatment; however, it is challenging to motivate patients to systematically perform home exercises correctly, and the necessary tinnitus counselling is often lacking. The aim of this study is twofold, namely to investigate both the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a blended physiotherapy program for ST, including a smartphone application designed to increase exercise therapy compliance and provide tinnitus counselling. METHODS This study is designed as a single-blind two-arm 1:1 randomised controlled trial (RCT). Adult patients diagnosed with ST, without psychiatric comorbidities and with experience in using a smartphone, will be recruited at the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) department of the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA). Patients will be randomised into two groups. The experimental group will receive the blended physiotherapy program comprising six in-clinic physiotherapy sessions over a period of 12 weeks (1x/2 weeks) and an exercise and counselling program provided by the smartphone application. The control group will receive the standard care program comprising twelve weekly in-clinic physiotherapy sessions. Each physiotherapy session has a duration of 30 min. The primary outcome measure is the change in Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) score. Additionally, a cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed from a societal perspective considering both direct and indirect costs. There will be follow-up assessments at one and 3 months after the final treatment session. DISCUSSION Our study is the first to combine both tinnitus counselling and neck/jaw treatment provided by a digital application in a blended physiotherapy program. This, in order to empower ST patients to improve and better manage their own health and, possibly, reduce economic costs by alleviating the tinnitus burden that ST patients experience. The strengths of the planned RCT are the high-quality methodological design, the large sample size and the expertise of the involved multidisciplinary research team. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05245318 . Registered on 26 January 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Demoen
- Rehabilitation Research Center, REVAL, faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium. .,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium. .,Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Laure Jacquemin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium.,Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Annick Timmermans
- Rehabilitation Research Center, REVAL, faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Vincent Van Rompaey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium.,Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Olivier Vanderveken
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium.,Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hanne Vermeersch
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Iris Joossen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Julie Van Eetvelde
- Rehabilitation Research Center, REVAL, faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Winfried Schlee
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Wim Marneffe
- Faculty of Business Economics, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Janis Luyten
- Faculty of Business Economics, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Annick Gilles
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium.,Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Human and Social Welfare, University College Ghent, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sarah Michiels
- Rehabilitation Research Center, REVAL, faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
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