title: Effectiveness of theta-burst repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treating chronic tinnitus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a noninvasive method for altering cortical excitability, is becoming a therapeutic strategy in auditory research institutions worldwide. Application of inhibiting rTMS on these overactive cortical regions can result in effective tinnitus suppression. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of theta-burst rTMS in patients with chronic tinnitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parallel randomized control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 2 female and 20 male patients in this study. The evaluative tools included tinnitus frequency- and loudness-matching, tinnitus questionnaires (TQ), and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI).
  
  
  METHODS
  The orthogonal projection of the auditory cortex on the scalp was focalized. A figure-eight coil was placed on the surface of the skull over the targeted region with the intensity setting at 80% of the resting motor threshold. We delivered 900 pulses of theta-burst rTMS daily for 10 business days.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine of twelve patients (75%) in the active-stimulation group reported tinnitus suppression following treatment with rTMS. The treatment led to reductions of 8.58 and 8.33 in the mean TQ global and THI scores, respectively. Tinnitus loudness also decreased significantly after delivering rTMS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Descriptive analysis of the TQs revealed that patients experienced significant improvements in emotional distress levels and somatic symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our preliminary results demonstrate that theta-burst rTMS treatments offer a method of modulating tinnitus. Patients could benefit from emotional improvements, even more than auditory perceptive relief. Further studies are needed to establish a standard protocol and to clarify nervous propagation along the auditory and psychological projection following treatment with rTMS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Hsiung-Kwang
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Chon-Haw
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Yu-Chin
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Jin-Ming
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yung-An
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Tsou
authors.forename: Chin-Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chia-Der
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Fuh-Cherng
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Jeng
authors.forename: Jing-Gung
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Ming-Hsui
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001303:Auditory Cortex; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000628:therapy*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome