Electric field navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation for chronic tinnitus: A pilot study

Abstract

Objective: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown potential in reducing tinnitus symptoms. We evaluated effects of electric field (E-field) navigated rTMS targeted neuroanatomically according to tinnitus pitch. Design: In this open methodological pilot study, the patients received E-field navigated 1-Hz rTMS in daily treatment sessions to the left superior temporal gyrus, targeted according to tonotopic representation of their individual tinnitus pitch. Patients rated their tinnitus intensity and annoyance with a numeric rating scale (NRS) from 0 to 10 at the baseline and after each rTMS session. They also rated their global impression of change (scale − 3 to + 3) after the treatment. Study sample: Thirteen patients (mean age 53 years; 10 men, 3 women) with chronic, intractable tinnitus. Results: The mean intensity was 7.1 (SD 1.8) at the baseline, decreasing to 4.5 (SD 2.2) after the rTMS (p < 0.0001). The mean annoyance 7.0 (SD 1.8) at the baseline decreased to 4.0 (SD 2.4) after the treatment (p < 0.0001). Intensity diminished at least 30% in 8/13 patients and annoyance in 9/13 patients. A total of 10/13 patients felt subjective benefit from the treatment. Conclusions: These preliminary observations suggest that E-field-rTMS may improve the current treatment options for intractable tinnitus.

Key Words::

• Tinnitus
• electric field navigated
• transcranial magnetic stimulation

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Finnish governmental University Hospital grants (EVO). We thank Mrs. Elizabeth Nyman for checking the language of this article and Mr. Sami Sahlsten for IT assistance.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.