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High‐Frequency Pulsed Electromagnetic Energy in Tinnitus Treatment
Author(s) -
Ghossaini Soha N.,
Spitzer Jaclyn B.,
Mackins Cynthia C.,
Zschommler Anne,
Diamond Beverly E.,
Wazen Jack J.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-200403000-00020
Subject(s) - tinnitus , medicine , placebo , audiology , randomized controlled trial , physical therapy , surgery , pathology , alternative medicine
Objectives/Hypothesis Electromagnetic therapy has been used with reported success in multiple clinical settings, including the treatment of seizure disorders, brain edema, migraine headaches, revascularization of burn wounds, and diabetic ulcers. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of pulsed high‐frequency electromagnetic therapy on chronic tinnitus. Study Design A randomized, prospective, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of high‐frequency pulsed electromagnetic energy using the Diapulse device in the treatment of chronic tinnitus. Thirty‐seven adult patients with chronic tinnitus of at least 6 months' duration were recruited and randomly assigned to either a treatment or a placebo group. Methods Patients received 30‐minute treatments with the Diapulse device three times a week for 1 month. The unit was set to deliver electromagnetic energy at a frequency of 27.12 MHz at a repetition rate of 600 pulses per second. All subjects had pretreatment and post‐treatment audiological testing, including tinnitus frequency and intensity matching. They responded to a tinnitus rating questionnaire and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory before and after treatment. Results There was no significant change in the pretreatment and post‐treatment audiometric thresholds in either group. There were no significant differences between the pretreatment and post‐treatment Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores or the tinnitus rating scores in either subject group (Student t test). No diagnosis‐specific differences were identified. Conclusion High‐frequency pulsed electromagnetic energy (Diapulse) at the settings used in the study showed no role in the therapy of patients with chronic tinnitus.