Relating the electroencephalogram findings of patients with tinnitus before and after a therapeutic modality is still scarce in the literature, especially with neuromodulatory methods, more specifically with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation - tDCS. This study is a double blind, sham-controlled clinical trial aiming investigate the impact of tDCS on patterns of brain electrical activity in patients with chronic tinnitus. 36 volunteers with tinnitus will be allocated randomly in 2 groups: the first (n = 18) will receive anodic tDCS in the temporoparietal left area and cathode in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the second group (n = 18) correspond to the sham group. In addition, healthy individuals (n = 18) will be recruited for comparative purposes of brain electrical activity with and without tinnitus, totaling 54 participants. Patients with tinnitus will receive transcranial direct current stimulation for 20 minutes for 5 consecutive days (1 week) and will be assessed before and after intervention by electroencephalogram, Acuphenometry, Visual Analogue Scale - VAS and questionnaire Tinnitus Handicap Inventory- THI. Follow-up of volunteers will also be performed after 1 month of the end of treatment with tDCS.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
54
Anodal stimulation of the temporoparietal left area with an cathode over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Stimulation will be applied for 20 minutes at 2 mA.
Sham tDCS sessions will last 20 minutes
Dayse Souza
João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
Tinnitus Handicap Inventory
Assesses change in tinnitus from baseline to follow-up periods post interventions
Time frame: THI will be measured before intervention (baseline), after 5 daily sessions (day 5) and 1 month after the last intervention.
Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) of perceived tinnitus loudness and distress
Self assessment of tinnitus loudness and tinnitus distress.
Time frame: Visual analogue scale of tinnitus wiil be recorded at baseline (before intervention), before and after daily sessions with tDCS (day 1 to 5) , and 1 month after the last intervention.
Acuphenometry
Subjective assessment of the frequency, intensity and type of tinnitus.
Time frame: Acufhenometry wiil be recorded at baseline (before intervention), before and after daily sessions with tDCS (day 1 to 5) , and 1 month after the last intervention.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.