A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of baclofen in the treatment of tinnitus.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of baclofen in ameliorating tinnitus in adult patients.


METHODS
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
California Ear Institute at Stanford, California, a tertiary otology/neurotology referral center.


METHODS
Restricted to adults receiving otologic evaluation at the California Ear Institute at Stanford. Some patients had a primary complaint of tinnitus, whereas others with tinnitus were recruited during treatment for another condition. The study population was felt to be representative of the general population with tinnitus.


METHODS
Three weeks of baclofen (10 mg orally twice daily for 1 week, 20 mg orally twice daily for the second week, and 30 mg orally twice daily for the third week) or placebo designed to mimic baclofen capsules in route, schedule, appearance, and taste were given to patients.


METHODS
Tinnitus handicap inventory, pitch and loudness matching, and maskability of tinnitus.


RESULTS
Subjective and objective evaluation failed to demonstrate any clinical or statistical advantage of baclofen over placebo. Reports of subjective improvement occurred in only 9.7% of the baclofen versus 3.4% of the placebo groups, a nonsignificant difference. Withdrawal from the baclofen arm of the study occurred in 26% due to side effects, which could be attributed to the medication.


CONCLUSIONS
Baclofen is no more effective than placebo in ameliorating tinnitus in adult patients.
Westerberg
B D
BD
California Ear Institute, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto 94304, USA.
Roberson
J B
JB
Stach
B A
BA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001418:Baclofen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008144:Loudness Perception; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010898:Pitch Perception; D010919:Placebos; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D010919:Placebos; D001418:Baclofen