Feasibility and Safety of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired with Notched Music Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Tinnitus
Journal of Audiology & Otology
; : 159-167, 2015.
Article
in En
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-60638
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WPRO
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A recent study demonstrated that tinnitus could be eliminated by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with notched sounds in a rat tinnitus model. The aims of this clinical study were to investigate the effects and safety of transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) by patch-type electrode paired with notched music for treating chronic tinnitus. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with refractory chronic tinnitus for >12 months were included in this study. A patch-type electrode was attached to the auricular concha of the patient's left ear and tVNS was performed for 30 min (pulse rate 25 Hz, pulse width 200 micros, and amplitude 1-10 mA) using a transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation eco2. During tVNS, the patients listened to notched music cleared of the frequency spectrum corresponding to the tinnitus with a 0.5 octave notch width. RESULTS: After 10 treatment sessions, 15/30 patients (50%) reported symptom relief in terms of a global improvement questionnaire. The mean tinnitus loudness (10-point scale) and the mean tinnitus awareness score (%) improved significantly from 6.32+/-2.06 to 5.16+/-1.52 and from 82.40+/-24.37% to 65.60+/-28.15%, respectively (both p<0.05). None of the patients had any specific side effects, such as changes in heart rate or blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated the feasibility and safety of tVNS paired with notched music therapy in patients with chronic tinnitus, with the use of a pad-type electrode attached to the auricular concha.
Key words
Full text:
1
Index:
WPRIM
Main subject:
Tinnitus
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Vagus Nerve
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Blood Pressure
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Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
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Ear
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Electrodes
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Vagus Nerve Stimulation
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Heart Rate
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Music
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Music Therapy
Limits:
Animals
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Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Journal of Audiology & Otology
Year:
2015
Type:
Article