Combined rTMS and Relaxation in Chronic Tinnitus — RELAX  

Chronic Tinnitus Clinical Trial

Official title: Effectiveness of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in Combination With Relaxation Therapy in Patients With Chronic Tinnitus

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in combination with relaxation therapy is used to modulate the neural pathways contributing to the perception and distress of phantom sounds.

Clinical Trial Description

Tinnitus is the phantom auditory perception of sound in the absence of an external or internal acoustic stimulus. It is a frequent problem which can interfere significantly with the ability to lead a normal life. One significant modulator of tinnitus is stress. Tinnitus has been shown to be generated in the brain, as a result of functional reorganization of auditory neural pathways and the central auditory system. Also non-auditory cortical areas of attention allocation and emotional processing was shown to be involved. Treatment remains difficult. The most effective treatment in chronic tinnitus is cognitive behavioral therapy including elements of relaxation therapy. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is also effective in treatment of tinnitus with moderate effect size. Pilot data were positive for low-frequency rTMS applied to the temporoparietal areas and high-frequency rTMS applied to the left frontal cortex. Newer findings indicate that exercise-combined non-invasive brain stimulation might show superior effects in contrast to rTMS or exercise alone. Combination of relaxation and two-sided (frontal and temporo-parietal) rTMS will be examined with regard to feasibility, safety and clinical efficacy in patients suffering from chronic tinnitus in a pilot trial. ;

Study Design

Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Chronic Tinnitus
• Tinnitus

• NCT number: NCT01907022
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of Regensburg
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: July 2013
• Completion date: October 2014