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Tyler RS, Varghese L, Furman AC, Snell K, Ji H, Rabinowitz WM. An Exploratory Study of Bimodal Electro-Aural Stimulation Through the Ear Canals for Tinnitus. Am J Audiol 2024; 33:455-464. [PMID: 38564491 DOI: 10.1044/2024_aja-23-00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the potential for bimodal auditory and noninvasive electrical stimulation at the ears to alleviate tonal, somatic tinnitus that was investigated in a small preliminary trial (11 participants). DESIGN Auditory stimulation took the form of short "notched noise" bursts customized to each participant's tinnitus percept. Simultaneous pulsed electrical stimulation, intended to facilitate neuroplasticity, was delivered via hydrogel electrodes placed in opposite ears. RESULTS After a 6-week intervention period, average Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) and Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire (TPFQ) scores were consistent with clinically meaningful improvements in the study population. Magnitudes and effect sizes of improvements in TFI and TPFQ are comparable to those reported in other recent bimodal therapy studies using different auditory and electrical stimulation parameters. CONCLUSIONS Our results should be considered preliminary given the small sample size, lack of crossover data, and small subject pool. When considered alongside other recent bimodal therapy results, we do believe that there are therapeutic benefits of bimodal stimulation for tinnitus sufferers that have the potential to help some with tinnitus, with a variety of stimulation parameters and electrode placements. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.25444546.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard S Tyler
- Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The University of Iowa, Iowa City
| | | | | | - Kimberly Snell
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The University of Iowa, Iowa City
| | - Helena Ji
- Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City
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2
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Monaco A, Cattaneo R, Di Nicolantonio S, Strada M, Altamura S, Ortu E. Central effects of trigeminal electrical stimulation. Cranio 2023:1-24. [PMID: 38032105 DOI: 10.1080/08869634.2023.2280153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
This is a review of the literature on the main neuromodulation techniques, focusing on the possibility of introducing sensory threshold ULFTENS into them. Electro neuromodulation techniques have been in use for many years as promising methods of therapy for cognitive and emotional disorders. One of the most widely used forms of stimulation for orofacial pain is transcutaneous trigeminal stimulation on three levels: supraorbital area, dorsal surface of the tongue, and anterior skin area of the tragus. The purpose of this review is to trigger interest on using dental ULFTENS as an additional trigeminal neurostimulation and neuromodulation technique in the context of TMD. In particular, we point out the possibility of using ULFTENS at a lower activation level than that required to trigger a muscle contraction that is capable of triggering effects at the level of the autonomic nervous system, with extreme ease of execution and few side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Monaco
- MeSVA Department, Dental Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Ruggero Cattaneo
- MeSVA Department, Dental Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Marco Strada
- MeSVA Department, Dental Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Serena Altamura
- MeSVA Department, Dental Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Eleonora Ortu
- MeSVA Department, Dental Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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3
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Fernández-Hernando D, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Machado-Martín A, Angulo-Díaz-Parreño S, García-Esteo FJ, Mesa-Jiménez JA. Effects of Non-Invasive Neuromodulation of the Vagus Nerve for Management of Tinnitus: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12113673. [PMID: 37297867 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12113673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of actual external stimuli. Other associated symptoms include frustration, annoyance, anxiety, depression, stress, cognitive dysfunction, insomnia, or emotional exhaustion. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of the non-invasive neuromodulation of the vagus nerve in patients with tinnitus. METHODS Six databases were searched from their date of inception to 15 June 2022 to identify clinical trials in which at least one group received any form of non-invasive neuromodulation of the vagus nerve for tinnitus management, with outcomes based on annoyance and related disability. Data on participants, interventions, blinding strategies, assessment outcomes, and results were extracted by two reviewers. RESULTS The search identified 183 articles with five clinical trials eligible for inclusion in the review and four for the meta-analysis. The methodological quality scores ranged from 6 to 8 (mean: 7.3, SD: 0.8) points. The meta-analysis identified a significant positive effect on THI post-treatment for unilateral auricular stimulation (hg = 0.69, 95% CI 0.06, 1.32) or transcutaneous nerve stimulation (hg = 0.51, 95% CI 0.1, 0.9) compared with a comparative group. No effect on loudness intensity was observed. CONCLUSION The results of the meta-analysis suggest that the application of the non-invasive neuromodulation of the vagus nerve has a positive effect post-treatment in terms of related disability in patients with tinnitus, although its clinical relevance is low. No firm conclusions about the effect of the non-invasive neuromodulation of the vagus nerve on tinnitus are available based on the current literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Fernández-Hernando
- Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, Spain
| | - Cesar Fernández-de-Las-Peñas
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Ana Machado-Martín
- Servicio de Otorrino-Laringología, Hospital Universitario Quiron Salud Pozuelo, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Francisco J García-Esteo
- Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, Spain
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo CEU, 28660 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan A Mesa-Jiménez
- Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, Spain
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo CEU, 28660 Madrid, Spain
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4
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Grundfast KM, Jamil TL. Evaluation and Management of Tinnitus: Are There Opportunities for Improvement? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023; 168:45-58. [PMID: 35349391 DOI: 10.1177/01945998221088286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review current information about diagnosis and management of tinnitus aiming to identify opportunities for achieving a cost-effective, efficient, evidence-based approach that meets the needs of tinnitus sufferers. DATA SOURCES PubMed/MEDLINE. REVIEW METHODS In total, 249 relevant published reports were reviewed. Pertinent keywords and MeSH terms identified reports via PubMed and EMBASE. Acknowledged experts were consulted on ways to improve tinnitus management. CONCLUSIONS There may be opportunities to improve evaluation and management of patients with tinnitus using modern modes of communication and a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Tinnitus can adversely affect quality of life while being time-consuming and costly to evaluate and manage. Based on both personal experience and the reports of others, patients with tinnitus who choose to see a physician primarily want to know two things: (1) that the tinnitus that is so distressing will not remain at the same level of severity forever and (2) that something can be done to help cope with the tinnitus that is so annoying. Recent advancements in internet communications, social media, information technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, holistic medical care, mind-body integrative health care, and multidisciplinary approaches in medical therapeutics may be possibly making new ways of meeting the needs of patients with tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth M Grundfast
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Otology Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Taylor L Jamil
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Smeele SJ, Adhia DB, De Ridder D. Feasibility and Safety of High-Definition Infraslow Pink Noise Stimulation for Treating Chronic Tinnitus—A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Neuromodulation 2022:S1094-7159(22)01339-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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Mazurek B, Hesse G, Sattel H, Kratzsch V, Lahmann C, Dobel C. S3 Guideline: Chronic Tinnitus : German Society for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery e. V. (DGHNO-KHC). HNO 2022; 70:795-827. [PMID: 36227338 PMCID: PMC9581878 DOI: 10.1007/s00106-022-01207-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Mazurek
- Tinnituszentrum, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Gerhard Hesse
- Tinnitus-Klinik, KH Bad Arolsen, Große Allee 50, 34454, Bad Arolsen, Germany.
- Universität Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany.
| | - Heribert Sattel
- Klinikum rechts der Isar, Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Technical University of Munich, Langerstr. 3, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Volker Kratzsch
- Abt. Hörbehinderung, Tinnitus und Schwindelerkrankungen, VAMED Rehaklinik Bad Grönenbach, Sebastian-Kneipp-Allee 3-5, 87730, Bad Grönenbach, Germany
| | - Claas Lahmann
- Klinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Hauptstr. 8, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Dobel
- Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
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Different bimodal neuromodulation settings reduce tinnitus symptoms in a large randomized trial. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10845. [PMID: 35773272 PMCID: PMC9246951 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13875-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 10% of the population suffers from tinnitus, which is a phantom auditory condition that is coded within the brain. A new neuromodulation approach to treat tinnitus has emerged that combines sound with electrical stimulation of somatosensory pathways, supported by multiple animal studies demonstrating that bimodal stimulation can elicit extensive neural plasticity within the auditory brain. More recently, in a large-scale clinical trial, bimodal neuromodulation combining sound and tongue stimulation drove significant reductions in tinnitus symptom severity during the first 6 weeks of treatment, followed by diminishing improvements during the second 6 weeks of treatment. The primary objective of the large-scale randomized and double-blinded study presented in this paper was to determine if background wideband noise as used in the previous clinical trial was necessary for bimodal treatment efficacy. An additional objective was to determine if adjusting the parameter settings after 6 weeks of treatment could overcome treatment habituation effects observed in the previous study. The primary endpoint at 6-weeks involved within-arm and between-arm comparisons for two treatment arms with different bimodal neuromodulation settings based on two widely used and validated outcome instruments, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Tinnitus Functional Index. Both treatment arms exhibited a statistically significant reduction in tinnitus symptoms during the first 6-weeks, which was further reduced significantly during the second 6-weeks by changing the parameter settings (Cohen’s d effect size for full treatment period per arm and outcome measure ranged from − 0.7 to − 1.4). There were no significant differences between arms, in which tongue stimulation combined with only pure tones and without background wideband noise was sufficient to reduce tinnitus symptoms. These therapeutic effects were sustained up to 12 months after the treatment ended. The study included two additional exploratory arms, including one arm that presented only sound stimuli during the first 6 weeks of treatment and bimodal stimulation in the second 6 weeks of treatment. This arm revealed the criticality of combining tongue stimulation with sound for treatment efficacy. Overall, there were no treatment-related serious adverse events and a high compliance rate (83.8%) with 70.3% of participants indicating benefit. The discovery that adjusting stimulation parameters overcomes previously observed treatment habituation can be used to drive greater therapeutic effects and opens up new opportunities for optimizing stimuli and enhancing clinical outcomes for tinnitus patients with bimodal neuromodulation.
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Gloeckner CD, Nocon JC, Lim HH. Topographic and widespread auditory modulation of the somatosensory cortex: potential for bimodal sound and body stimulation for pain treatment. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 35671702 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac7665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There has been growing interest in understanding multisensory integration in the cortex through activation of multiple sensory and motor pathways to treat brain disorders, such as tinnitus or essential tremors. For tinnitus, previous studies show that combined sound and body stimulation can modulate the auditory pathway and lead to significant improvements in tinnitus symptoms. Considering that tinnitus is a type of chronic auditory pain, bimodal stimulation could potentially alter activity in the somatosensory pathway relevant for treating chronic pain. As an initial step towards that goal, we mapped and characterized neuromodulation effects in the somatosensory cortex (SC) in response to sound and/or electrical stimulation of the body. APPROACH We first mapped the topographic organization of activity across the SC of ketamine-anesthetized guinea pigs through electrical stimulation of different body locations using subcutaneous needle electrodes or with broadband acoustic stimulation. We then characterized how neural activity in different parts of the SC could be facilitated or suppressed with bimodal stimulation. MAIN RESULTS The topography in the SC of guinea pigs in response to electrical stimulation of the body aligns consistently to that shown in previous rodent studies. Interestingly, auditory broadband noise stimulation primarily excited SC areas that typically respond to stimulation of lower body locations. Although there was only a small subset of SC locations that were excited by acoustic stimulation alone, all SC recording sites could be altered (facilitated or suppressed) with bimodal stimulation. Furthermore, specific regions of the SC could be modulated by stimulating an appropriate body region combined with broadband noise. SIGNIFICANCE These findings show that bimodal stimulation can excite or modulate firing across a widespread yet targeted population of SC neurons. This approach may provide a non-invasive method for altering or disrupting abnormal firing patterns within certain parts of the SC for chronic pain treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory D Gloeckner
- University of Minnesota Duluth, 1305 Ordean Court, Duluth, Minnesota, 55812, UNITED STATES
| | - Jian C Nocon
- Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, UNITED STATES
| | - Hubert H Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 7-105 Hasselmo Hall, 312 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, UNITED STATES
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Searchfield GD, Sanders PJ, Doborjeh Z, Doborjeh M, Boldu R, Sun K, Barde A. A State-of-Art Review of Digital Technologies for the Next Generation of Tinnitus Therapeutics. Front Digit Health 2021; 3:724370. [PMID: 34713191 PMCID: PMC8522011 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2021.724370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Digital processing has enabled the development of several generations of technology for tinnitus therapy. The first digital generation was comprised of digital Hearing Aids (HAs) and personal digital music players implementing already established sound-based therapies, as well as text based information on the internet. In the second generation Smart-phone applications (apps) alone or in conjunction with HAs resulted in more therapy options for users to select from. The 3rd generation of digital tinnitus technologies began with the emergence of many novel, largely neurophysiologically-inspired, treatment theories that drove development of processing; enabled through HAs, apps, the internet and stand-alone devices. We are now of the cusp of a 4th generation that will incorporate physiological sensors, multiple transducers and AI to personalize therapies. Aim: To review technologies that will enable the next generations of digital therapies for tinnitus. Methods: A "state-of-the-art" review was undertaken to answer the question: what digital technology could be applied to tinnitus therapy in the next 10 years? Google Scholar and PubMed were searched for the 10-year period 2011-2021. The search strategy used the following key words: "tinnitus" and ["HA," "personalized therapy," "AI" (and "methods" or "applications"), "Virtual reality," "Games," "Sensors" and "Transducers"], and "Hearables." Snowballing was used to expand the search from the identified papers. The results of the review were cataloged and organized into themes. Results: This paper identified digital technologies and research on the development of smart therapies for tinnitus. AI methods that could have tinnitus applications are identified and discussed. The potential of personalized treatments and the benefits of being able to gather data in ecologically valid settings are outlined. Conclusions: There is a huge scope for the application of digital technology to tinnitus therapy, but the uncertain mechanisms underpinning tinnitus present a challenge and many posited therapeutic approaches may not be successful. Personalized AI modeling based on biometric measures obtained through various sensor types, and assessments of individual psychology and lifestyles should result in the development of smart therapy platforms for tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant D. Searchfield
- Section of Audiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Eisdell Moore Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Philip J. Sanders
- Section of Audiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Eisdell Moore Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Zohreh Doborjeh
- Section of Audiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Eisdell Moore Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Maryam Doborjeh
- School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Roger Boldu
- Augmented Human Laboratory, Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Sun
- Section of Audiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Amit Barde
- Empathic Computing Laboratory, Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Riffle TL, Martel DT, Jones GR, Shore SE. Bimodal Auditory Electrical Stimulation for the Treatment of Tinnitus: Preclinical and Clinical Studies. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2021; 51:295-323. [PMID: 33083999 PMCID: PMC8058117 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2020_180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Tinnitus, or the phantom perception of sound, arises from pathological neural activity. Neurophysiological research has shown increased spontaneous firing rates and synchronization along the auditory pathway correlate strongly with behavioral measures of tinnitus. Auditory neurons are plastic, enabling external stimuli to be utilized to elicit long-term changes to spontaneous firing and synchrony. Pathological plasticity can thus be reversed using bimodal auditory plus nonauditory stimulation to reduce tinnitus. This chapter discusses preclinical and clinical evidence for efficacy of bimodal stimulation treatments of tinnitus, with highlights on sham-controlled, double-blinded clinical trials. The results from these studies have shown some efficacy in reducing the severity of tinnitus, based on subjective and objective outcome measures including tinnitus questionnaires and psychophysical tinnitus measurements. While results of some studies have been positive, the degree of benefit and the populations that respond to treatment vary across the studies. Directions and implications of future studies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis L Riffle
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - David T Martel
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Gerilyn R Jones
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Susan E Shore
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Departments of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Conlon B, Langguth B, Hamilton C, Hughes S, Meade E, Connor CO, Schecklmann M, Hall DA, Vanneste S, Leong SL, Subramaniam T, D’Arcy S, Lim HH. Bimodal neuromodulation combining sound and tongue stimulation reduces tinnitus symptoms in a large randomized clinical study. Sci Transl Med 2020; 12:12/564/eabb2830. [DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abb2830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Tinnitus is a phantom auditory perception coded in the brain that can be bothersome or debilitating, affecting 10 to 15% of the population. Currently, there is no clinically recommended drug or device treatment for this major health condition. Animal research has revealed that sound paired with electrical somatosensory stimulation can drive extensive plasticity within the brain for tinnitus treatment. To investigate this bimodal neuromodulation approach in humans, we evaluated a noninvasive device that delivers sound to the ears and electrical stimulation to the tongue in a randomized, double-blinded, exploratory study that enrolled 326 adults with chronic subjective tinnitus. Participants were randomized into three parallel arms with different stimulation settings. Clinical outcomes were evaluated over a 12-week treatment period and a 12-month posttreatment phase. For the primary endpoints, participants achieved a statistically significant reduction in tinnitus symptom severity at the end of treatment based on two commonly used outcome measures, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (Cohen’s d effect size: −0.87 to −0.92 across arms; P < 0.001) and Tinnitus Functional Index (−0.77 to −0.87; P < 0.001). Therapeutic improvements continued for 12 months after treatment for specific bimodal stimulation settings, which had not previously been demonstrated in a large cohort for a tinnitus intervention. The treatment also achieved high compliance and satisfaction rates with no treatment-related serious adverse events. These positive therapeutic and long-term results motivate further clinical trials toward establishing bimodal neuromodulation as a clinically recommended device treatment for tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Conlon
- Neuromod Devices Limited, Dublin D08 R2YP, Ireland
- School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin D02 R590, Ireland
- Department of Otolaryngology, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin D08 NHY1, Ireland
| | - Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Center of University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | | | | | - Emma Meade
- Neuromod Devices Limited, Dublin D08 R2YP, Ireland
| | | | - Martin Schecklmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Center of University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Deborah A. Hall
- National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- University of Nottingham Malaysia, Selangor 43500, Malaysia
| | - Sven Vanneste
- Lab for Clinical and Integrative Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Sook Ling Leong
- Neuromod Devices Limited, Dublin D08 R2YP, Ireland
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
| | | | - Shona D’Arcy
- Neuromod Devices Limited, Dublin D08 R2YP, Ireland
| | - Hubert H. Lim
- Neuromod Devices Limited, Dublin D08 R2YP, Ireland
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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12
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Sense and Sensibility: A Review of the Behavioral Neuroscience of Tinnitus Sound Therapy and a New Typology. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2020; 51:213-247. [PMID: 33547596 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2020_183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Tinnitus Sound Therapy is not a single strategy. It consists of many different sound types, targeting many different mechanisms. Therapies that use sound to cover, reduce attention to, or facilitate habituation of tinnitus are among the most common tinnitus treatment paradigms. Recent history has seen a proliferation of sound therapies, but they have each been criticized for having limited empirical support. In this review, Sound Therapy's modern history will be described, and a typology will be introduced and discussed in light of current behavioral neuroscience research. It will be argued that contributing factors to the limited evidence for the efficacy of Sound Therapy are its diversity, plural modes of action, and absence of a clear typology. Despite gaps in understanding the efficacy of sound's effects on tinnitus, there is compelling evidence for its multiple, but related, neurophysiological mechanisms. Evidence suggests that sound may reduce tinnitus through its presence, context, reaction, and potentially adaptation. This review provides insights into the neurocognitive basis of these tinnitus Sound Therapy modes. It concludes that a unifying classification is needed to secure and advance arguments in favor of Sound Therapy.
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Conlon B, Hamilton C, Hughes S, Meade E, Hall DA, Vanneste S, Langguth B, Lim HH. Noninvasive Bimodal Neuromodulation for the Treatment of Tinnitus: Protocol for a Second Large-Scale Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial to Optimize Stimulation Parameters. JMIR Res Protoc 2019; 8:e13176. [PMID: 31573942 PMCID: PMC6789422 DOI: 10.2196/13176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is increasing evidence from animal and human studies that bimodal neuromodulation combining sound and electrical somatosensory stimulation of the tongue can induce extensive brain changes and treat tinnitus. Objective The main objectives of the proposed clinical study are to confirm the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of treatment demonstrated in a previous large-scale study of bimodal auditory and trigeminal nerve (tongue) stimulation (Treatment Evaluation of Neuromodulation for Tinnitus - Stage A1); evaluate the therapeutic effects of adjusting stimulation parameters over time; and determine the contribution of different features of bimodal stimulation in improving tinnitus outcomes. Methods This study will be a prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel-arm, comparative clinical trial of a 12-week treatment for tinnitus using a Conformité Européenne (CE)–marked device with a pre-post and 12-month follow-up design. Four treatment arms will be investigated, in which each arm consists of two different stimulation settings, with the first setting presented during the first 6 weeks and the second setting presented during the next 6 weeks of treatment. The study will enroll 192 participants, split in a ratio of 80:80:16:16 across the four arms. Participants will be randomized to one of four arms and stratified to minimize baseline variability in four categories: two separate strata for sound level tolerance (using loudness discomfort level as indicators for hyperacusis severity), high tinnitus symptom severity based on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and tinnitus laterality. The primary efficacy endpoints are within-arm changes in THI and Tinnitus Functional Index as well as between-arm changes in THI after 6 weeks of treatment for the full cohort and two subgroups of tinnitus participants (ie, one hyperacusis subgroup and a high tinnitus symptom severity subgroup). Additional efficacy endpoints include within-arm or between-arm changes in THI after 6 or 12 weeks of treatment and in different subgroups of tinnitus participants as well as at posttreatment assessments at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. Treatment safety, attrition rates, and compliance rates will also be assessed and reported. Results This study protocol was approved by the Tallaght University Hospital/St. James’s Hospital Joint Research Ethics Committee in Dublin, Ireland. The first participant was enrolled on March 20, 2018. The data collection and database lock are expected to be completed by February 2020, and the data analysis and manuscript submission are expected to be conducted in autumn of 2020. Conclusions The findings of this study will be disseminated to relevant research, clinical, and health services and patient communities through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific and clinical conferences. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03530306; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03530306 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/13176
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Conlon
- Department of Otolaryngology, St James Hospital Dublin and Tallaght University Hospital Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Neuromod Devices Limited, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Emma Meade
- Neuromod Devices Limited, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Deborah A Hall
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Sven Vanneste
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hubert H Lim
- Neuromod Devices Limited, Dublin, Ireland.,University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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14
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Cederroth CR, Dyhrfjeld-Johnsen J, Langguth B. An update: emerging drugs for tinnitus. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2018; 23:251-260. [DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2018.1555240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Clinic, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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15
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Vielsmeier V, Schecklmann M, Schlee W, Kreuzer PM, Poeppl TB, Rupprecht R, Langguth B, Lehner A. A Pilot Study of Peripheral Muscle Magnetic Stimulation as Add-on Treatment to Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Chronic Tinnitus. Front Neurosci 2018. [PMID: 29515350 PMCID: PMC5826218 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
While brain stimulation techniques have been examined as treatment options for chronic tinnitus for many years, they have recently been extended to multimodal treatment approaches. As chronic tinnitus is often accompanied by comorbid muscular tension in the neck and back, we performed a one-arm pilot study to explore the feasibility of a new multimodal treatment approach. In detail, repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) of the back was performed before and after each session of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the brain. Data of 41 patients were analyzed, all of which were treated with ten sessions of rTMS of the left prefrontal and left temporoparietal cortex followed by rPMS of the neck and back muscles. Tinnitus severity was measured using the tinnitus questionnaire (TQ). Neck pain was assessed using the neck pain and disability scale (NPAD). The new treatment approach was feasible and well accepted by the majority of patients. However, the overall patient group did not improve significantly in either of the questionnaires. If patients were divided in different subgroups depending on whether they were suffering from neck pain or somatosensory tinnitus, explorative post-hoc tests suggested differential effects: patients with both neck pain and somatosensory tinnitus had better outcomes than patients without those conditions or with neck pain only. This was true for both the TQ and the NPAD. This effect was of transient nature though: the TQ score went back to its baseline level after a follow-up period of 12 weeks. Based on our results we recommend that in studies that investigate tinnitus treatments targeting somatosensory afferents patients should be stratified according to somatic co-morbidities and somatosensory influence on the tinnitus percept. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02306447.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Vielsmeier
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Schecklmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Winfried Schlee
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter M Kreuzer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Timm B Poeppl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Rupprecht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Astrid Lehner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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16
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D’Arcy S, Hamilton C, Hughes S, Hall DA, Vanneste S, Langguth B, Conlon B. Bi-modal stimulation in the treatment of tinnitus: a study protocol for an exploratory trial to optimise stimulation parameters and patient subtyping. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e018465. [PMID: 29074518 PMCID: PMC5665258 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of a corresponding external acoustic stimulus. Bimodal neuromodulation is emerging as a promising treatment for this condition. The main objectives of this study are to investigate the relevance of interstimulus timing and the choices of acoustic and tongue stimuli for a proprietary bimodal (auditory and somatosensory) neuromodulation device, as well as to explore whether specific subtypes of patients are differentially responsive to this novel intervention for reducing the symptoms of chronic tinnitus. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is a two-site, randomised, triple-blind, exploratory study of a proprietary neuromodulation device with a pre-post and 12-month follow-up design. Three different bimodal stimulation parameter sets will be examined. The study will enrol 342 patients, split 80:20 between two sites (Dublin, Ireland and Regensburg, Germany), to complete 12 weeks of treatment with the device. Patients will be allocated to one of three arms using a stepwise stratification according to four binary categories: tinnitus tonality, sound level tolerance (using loudness discomfort level of <60 dB SL as an indicator for hyperacusis), hearing thresholds and presence of a noise-induced audiometric profile. The main indicators of relative clinical efficacy for the three different parameter sets are two patient-reported outcomes measures, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and the Tinnitus Functional Index, after 12 weeks of intervention. Clinical efficacy will be further explored in a series of patient subtypes, split by the stratification variables and by presence of a somatic tinnitus. Evidence for sustained effects on the psychological and functional impact of tinnitus will be followed up for 12 months. Safety data will be collected and reported. A number of feasibility measures to inform future trial design include: reasons for exclusion, completeness of data collection, attrition rates, patient's adherence to the device usage as per manufacturer's instructions and evaluation of alternative methods for estimating tinnitus impact and tinnitus loudness. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study protocol is approved by the Tallaght Hospital/St. James's Hospital Joint Research Ethics Committee in Dublin, Ireland, and by the Ethics Committee of the University Clinic Regensburg, Germany. Findings will be disseminated to relevant research, clinical, health service and patient communities through publications in peer-reviewed and popular science journals and presentations at scientific and clinical conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER The trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02669069) Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Deborah A Hall
- National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, UK
- Otology and Hearing Group, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Sven Vanneste
- Lab for Clinical and Integrative Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, USA
| | - Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Center of the University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Brendan Conlon
- Neuromod Devices Limited, Dublin, Ireland
- ENT, Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- ENT, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
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