[Treatment of tinnitus with low-intensity laser].
This study evaluated the effect of low-power laser in the treatment of tinnitus in a randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The active laser applied 50 mW (cw, 830 nm) over a period of 10 minutes per session. Forty-nine patients were included. The main outcome was measured using psychoacoustical match of tinnitus loudness, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ratings of subjective loudness, annoyance and attention involved, scores on tinnitus-specific questionnaires, and a number of psychosocial questionnaires. Only few subjects (18%) experienced subjective improvement. There were no statistically significant differences between the effects of the active laser and placebo treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
Low-power laser treatment is not indicated in the treatment of tinnitus. Reports of significant benefits of this treatment in previous studies may be explained by the placebo effect.
Mirz
F
F
Arhus Universitetshospital, Arhus Kommunehospital, øre-naese-halsafdeling H. mirz@dadlnet.dk
Zachariae
B
B
Andersen
S E
SE
Nielsen
A G
AG
Johansen
L V
LV
Bjerring
P
P
Pedersen
C B
CB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015990:Placebo Effect; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011571:Psychoacoustics; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy*