Abstract
BackgroundIdentifying characteristics associated with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) benefit would offer insight as to why some individuals experience tinnitus relief following TMS treatment, whereas others do not. The purpose of this study was to use the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) and its subscales to identify specific factors associated with TMS treatment responsiveness.MethodsIndividuals with bothersome tinnitus underwent 2000 pulses of 1-Hz TMS for 10 consecutive business days. The primary outcome measure was the TFI which yields a total score and eight individual subscale scores. Analyses were performed on baseline data from the active arm (n = 35) of a prospective, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of TMS for tinnitus.ResultsBaseline total TFI score and three of the eight TFI subscales were useful in differentiating between responders and nonresponders to TMS intervention for tinnitus. These findings are not definitive, but suggest potential factors that contribute to perceived benefit following TMS.ConclusionsOverall, the main factor associated with TMS benefit was a higher tinnitus severity score for responders at baseline. The TFI subscales helped to clarify the factors that contributed to a higher severity score at baseline. Large-scale prospective research using systematic approaches is needed to identify and describe additional factors associated with tinnitus benefit following TMS.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT01104207. Registered on 13 April 2010.
Highlights
Identifying characteristics associated with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) benefit would offer insight as to why some individuals experience tinnitus relief following TMS treatment, whereas others do not
Using a different outcome measure of tinnitus severity, the Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ), Lehner et al [7] reported that subjects with higher TQ baseline scores showed greater improvement following TMS treatment for tinnitus compared to subjects with lower TQ baseline scores prior to treatment
Differential effects of TMS for treatment of tinnitus have been reported in multiple studies [15,16,17]
Summary
Identifying characteristics associated with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) benefit would offer insight as to why some individuals experience tinnitus relief following TMS treatment, whereas others do not. Measures of tinnitus distress or severity are often used to evaluate to what degree patients benefit from an intervention. The majority of instruments designed to measure tinnitus severity were not developed to assess treatment outcomes [1]. Clinicians use an evidence-based approach in making a decision regarding the best method to assess tinnitus therapy. Following the model of evidence-based medicine allows clinicians to integrate their clinical expertise with evidence from systematic research to guide their decision-making on how best to evaluate and treat patients. At the current time, clinicians must rely mainly on their clinical experiences and judgment regarding the best course of Theodoroff et al Trials 2017, 18:64 action to take when evaluating and treating tinnitus patients
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
