Feasibility and Safety of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired with Notched Music Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Tinnitus.
10.7874/jao.2015.19.3.159
- Author:
Hyun Joon SHIM
1
;
Min Young KWAK
;
Yong Hwi AN
;
Dong Hyun KIM
;
Yun Jin KIM
;
Hyo Jung KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. eardoc11@naver.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Vagus nerve stimulation;
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation;
Music therapy;
Tinnitus
- MeSH:
Animals;
Blood Pressure;
Ear;
Electrodes;
Heart Rate;
Humans;
Music Therapy*;
Music*;
Rats;
Tinnitus*;
Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation;
Vagus Nerve Stimulation*;
Vagus Nerve*
- From:Journal of Audiology & Otology
2015;19(3):159-167
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
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.
