ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The mismatch negativity (MMN) test evaluates neural responses to unexpected sounds, providing objective data on the neural plasticity of the auditory system. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we assessed whether the MMN test could identify failure of neural habituation of the auditory pathway in patients with severe tinnitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with normal hearing were compared to tinnitus patients, via the MMN test. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and a visual analog scale (VAS) were used to evaluate tinnitus-derived annoyance. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale was used to assess anxiety and depression. RESULTS: The average MMN amplitudes in the tinnitus group were -0.88 uV in the right ear (RE), and -1.13 uV in the left ear (LE), while in control group the corresponding amplitudes were 1.01 uV and -1.19 uV. Mean latencies in the tinnitus group were 208.34 ms in the RE, and 209.92 ms in the LE, while in the control group the corresponding latencies were 217.38 ms and 215.69 ms. The differences in mean latencies between the groups were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The MMN test may be useful for evaluating the habituation process of the central auditory pathways in tinnitus patients.
ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: Although group therapy for tinnitus is a well documented field in the international literature, as far as we know it has never been held in Brazil. This study represents a successful experience of a group therapy for tinnitus based on the tinnitus retraining therapy associated with behavioral cognitive techniques. The goal of the present study is to assess patients with tinnitus before and after the group therapy based on the tinnitus retraining therapy and the behavioral cognitive therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study: 27 subjects signed in for the study, and answered the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HAD), before and after the treatment. We held six structured sessions according to the principles of tinnitus retraining therapy associated with behavioral cognitive techniques. RESULTS: 27 patients started and 19 finished the treatment (8 were taken off). 47.4% men, mean age of 47.6. THI results before and after treatment were respectively: functional: 29 and 14, emotional 24 and 10 and catastrophic 12 and 5 and the HAD scale: anxiety 2 and 9 and depression 10 and 6. CONCLUSION: The treatment described is effective in improving tinnitus symptoms.
Subject(s)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods , Psychotherapy, Group/methods , Tinnitus/therapy , Adult , Aged , Anxiety/etiology , Cohort Studies , Depression/etiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Schools, Medical , Surveys and Questionnaires , Tinnitus/complications , Tinnitus/psychology , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
Embora os tratamentos em grupos para o zumbido sejam uma área bem documentada na literatura internacional, até onde sabemos nunca foram realizados no Brasil. Este estudo apresenta uma experiência bem-sucedida de um tratamento em grupo para zumbido baseado na terapia de retreinamento do zumbido aliada com as técnicas cognitivo-comportamentais. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar pacientes com zumbido antes e depois do tratamento em grupo estruturado baseado da terapia de retreinamento do zumbido e na terapia cognitivo comportamental. Material e método: Estudo coorte prospectivo: 27 sujeitos aplicaram-se para a pesquisa. Responderam ao inventário do Handicap do Zumbido (THI) e à escala da Ansiedade e Depressão Hospitalar (HAD),antes e depois do tratamento. Foram realizadas 6 sessões estruturadas segundo os princípios da terapia de retreinamento do zumbido associada com técnicas cognitivo-comportamentais. Resultados: 27 pacientes iniciaram e 19 terminaram o tratamento (8 excluídos). 47,4 por cento homens, média das idades 47.6. O resultado do THI antes e depois do tratamento foi respectivamente: funcionais, 29 e 14; emocional, 24 e 10; e catastrófico, 12 e 5; a escala HAD: ansiedade, 12 e 9 e depressão, 10 e 6. Conclusão: O tratamento descrito é efetivo na melhora do zumbido.
Although group therapy for tinnitus is a well documented field in the international literature, as far as we know it has never been held in Brazil. This study represents a successful experience of a group therapy for tinnitus based on the tinnitus retraining therapy associated with behavioral cognitive techniques. The goal of the present study is to assess patients with tinnitus before and after the group therapy based on the tinnitus retraining therapy and the behavioral cognitive therapy. Materials and methods: Prospective cohort study: 27 subjects signed in for the study, and answered the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HAD), before and after the treatment. We held six structured sessions according to the principles of tinnitus retraining therapy associated with behavioral cognitive techniques. Results: 27 patients started and 19 finished the treatment (8 were taken off). 47.4 percent men, mean age of 47.6. THI results before and after treatment were respectively: functional: 29 and 14, emotional 24 and 10 and catastrophic 12 and 5 and the HAD scale: anxiety 2 and 9 and depression 10 and 6. Conclusion: The treatment described is effective in improving tinnitus symptoms.
