Autonomic functions, tinnitus annoyance and loudness, and quality of life: Randomized-controlled responses to bee-humming (vibrational) respiratory training in tinnitus elderly

Abstract

BackgroundIn chronic subjective tinnitus (CST) studies, the effect of bee-humming respiratory training (BHRT), a type of pranayama breathing technique, on autonomic cardiovascular/respiratory physiological functions (systolic pressure, rates of breathing and pulse, and diastolic pressure), tinnitus annoyance (TA), tinnitus loudness (TL), and quality of life measures as tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) did not receive significant attention. ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the efficacy of BHRT on TL, THI, TA, and cardiovascular/respiratory autonomic functions in bilateral CST elderly (aged ≥65 years old). The design, setting, participants, and interventionThe current study employs a prospective, single-blind design; it is a randomized-controlled for-tinnitus behavioral intervention. Forty-six CST elderly subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the BHRT group (23 patients) or the control group (23 patients). The 4-week BHRT intervention was applied 30 min daily. Outcome measuresTL, THI, TA, and cardiovascular/respiratory autonomic functions were evaluated. ResultsSignificant BHRT-induced reductions of all measures were detected in the BHRT group, whereas no significant changes were observed in the controlled elderly group. ConclusionThe complementary choice for BHRT is considered an effective method to improve TL, TA, THI, and cardiovascular/respiratory autonomic functions in CST elderly.