Effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical stimulation for chronic tinnitus.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores, transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) can provide relief from tinnitus. Response to electrical stimulation was best seen in patients with low-frequency tinnitus and with mild hearing loss.


OBJECTIVE
TENS is known to alleviate symptoms of tinnitus. However, study of the effectiveness of TENS for tinnitus has produced variable results, and it is still unclear what kind of patients with tinnitus would respond best to TENS. Here, we assessed the effects of TENS on the perception of tinnitus using the THI and VAS questionnaires.


METHODS
A total of 65 patients with tinnitus were divided into two groups: 45 patients received TENS and 20 patients received placebo (sham stimulation) twice a week over 4 weeks. THI and VAS scores were assessed before and after electrical stimulation. We also evaluated the effects of TENS on the degree of initial hearing loss and tinnitus frequency.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight of 45 patients (62.2%) revealed subjective improvement in tinnitus with TENS. TENS was more effective in patients with low-frequency tinnitus or with mild hearing loss. Symptomatic improvement in the electrical stimulation group was achieved for 1 month in most patients.
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University , Seoul , Korea.
Sun Kyu
SK
Lee
Hoon
H
Chung
Ji Hyun
JH
Chung
Seung Gun
SG
Yeo
Mun Suh
MS
Park
Jae Yong
JY
Byun
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000628:therapy*; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; D064232:Visual Analog Scale