Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation effectivity in treating tinnitus: A literature review

Abstract

Background : The pathophysiology mechanisms of idiopathic tinnitus remain unclear. Cure for the most common causes of tinnitus remains elusive. Recent studies demonstrated focal brain activation in the auditory cortex of patients with chronic tinnitus. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non‐invasive means of inducing electrical currents in the brain, and has received increasing attention in recent years for tinnitus treatment.
Methods : This study is a literature review of research article and clinical trial. Search articles from five central databases and publisher websites, Pubmed, Cochrane library, ResearchGate, SAGE journals, and Web of Science. A thorough search of the tinnitus and TMS literature was conducted, and all available relevant material was examined. The reviewed aspects of the protocols included baseline evaluation, the total number of sessions, frequency and the total number of stimuli, the location of treatment, and the outcome measures.
Result : A review of the current literature revealed significant improvements in the perceptual properties of tinnitus, including intensity, annoyance, and distress, as well as its impact on the quality of life, following treatment with rTMS. Beneficial effects of this treatment have been consistently demonstrated in several small controlled studies. However, results are characterized by high interindividual variability and only a moderate decrease of the tinnitus. The role of patient-related (for example, hearing loss, tinnitus duration, age) and stimulation-related (for example, stimulation site, stimulation protocols) factors still remains to be elucidated.
Conclusion: There is a convincing body of evidence that rTMS represents a promising tool for pathophysiological assessment and therapeutic management of tinnitus. Further development of this technique will depend on a more detailed understanding of the neurobiological effects mediating the benefit of TMS on tinnitus perception. Moreover, clinical studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed.