High-frequency pulsed electromagnetic energy in tinnitus treatment.
OBJECTIVE
Electromagnetic therapy has been used with reported success in multiple clinical settings, including the treatment of seizure disorders, brain edema, migraine headaches, revascularization of burn wounds, and diabetic ulcers. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic therapy on chronic tinnitus.


METHODS
A randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of high-frequency pulsed electromagnetic energy using the Diapulse device in the treatment of chronic tinnitus. Thirty-seven adult patients with chronic tinnitus of at least 6 months' duration were recruited and randomly assigned to either a treatment or a placebo group.


METHODS
Patients received 30-minute treatments with the Diapulse device three times a week for 1 month. The unit was set to deliver electromagnetic energy at a frequency of 27.12 MHz at a repetition rate of 600 pulses per second. All subjects had pretreatment and post-treatment audiological testing, including tinnitus frequency and intensity matching. They responded to a tinnitus rating questionnaire and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory before and after treatment.


RESULTS
There was no significant change in the pretreatment and post-treatment audiometric thresholds in either group. There were no significant differences between the pretreatment and post-treatment Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores or the tinnitus rating scores in either subject group (Student t test). No diagnosis-specific differences were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
High-frequency pulsed electromagnetic energy (Diapulse) at the settings used in the study showed no role in the therapy of patients with chronic tinnitus.
Ghossaini
Soha N
SN
Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA.
Spitzer
Jaclyn B
JB
Mackins
Cynthia C
CC
Zschommler
Anne
A
Diamond
Beverly E
BE
Wazen
Jack J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome