Somatic tinnitus is an unpleasant perception of sound that occurs in the absence of any external acoustic stimulus. Despite the correct diagnosis of somatic tinnitus, there is currently no specific treatment. The hypothesis of this study is that the application of manual therapy to the cervical region will help to treat tinnitus in patients. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of manual therapy in the treatment of somatic tinnitus of cervicogenic origin.
Somatic tinnitus is an unpleasant perception of sound that occurs in the absence of any external acoustic stimulus. It results from complex interactions between the somatosensory and auditory systems, which involve the musculoskeletal system rather than the ear. The temporomandibular joint, craniocervical junction, cervical vertebrae and neck and shoulder muscles, in particular the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle, upper trapezius and levator scapula, are anatomical regions that can cause somatic tinnitus. Despite the correct diagnosis of somatic tinnitus, there is currently no specific treatment. The hypothesis of this study is that the application of manual therapy to the cervical region will help to treat tinnitus in patients. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of manual therapy in the treatment of somatic tinnitus of cervicogenic origin.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
31
Manual Therapy
Isometric and strengthening exercises for the cervical region, which are provided to patients with cervical pain and limitation
Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Educiation and Research Hospital
Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
Visual Analogue Scale for Tinnitus (VAS-tinnitus)
The severity of tinnitus will be graded using a 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS, 0-10 cm; 0 means no tinnitus, 10 means extremely severe tinnitus).
Time frame: baseline- 6 week
Visual Analogue Scale for cervical pain (VAS-Cervical)
Pain intensity will be assessed with the visual analogue scale (0-10mm), which has proven validity and reliability for measuring musculoskeletal pain.
Time frame: baseline- 6 week
Tinnitus Handicap Index (THI)
The THI contains a total of 25 items with functional (11 items), emotional (9 items) and catastrophic (5 items) subscales. Each item is rated 0 (not affected), 2 (sometimes affected) or 4 (always affected). The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher levels of disability of perceived tinnitus.
Time frame: baseline- 6 week
Neck disability index (NDI)
The NDI is designed to assess self-reported neck functional status. The questionnaire consists of 10 items related to pain, activities of daily living, weight lifting, reading, headache, concentration, working status, driving, sleep and recreation and is rated on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (no disability) to 50 (major disability). Higher scores represent greater disability. The NDI has been found to be reliable and valid for cervical disorders.
Time frame: baseline- 6 week
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.