Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation as a treatment for chronic tinnitus: A critical review

Sarah M. Theodoroff, Robert L. Folmer

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Because chronic tinnitus is a condition that negatively impacts the quality of life for millions of people worldwide, a safe and effective treatment for tinnitus has been sought for decades. However, a true cure for the most common causes of tinnitus remains elusive. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a noninvasive procedure, has shown potential for reducing patients' perception or severity of tinnitus. This article provides background information about rTMS and reviews studies that investigated rTMS as a treatment for chronic tinnitus. DATA SOURCES: PubMed and Medline databases (National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine) were searched for the terms repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, tinnitus, TMS, and rTMS in articles published from 1980 to 2012. STUDY SELECTION: Articles included in this review were selected to represent a sampling of rTMS methodologies that have been used with tinnitus patients. DATA EXTRACTION: Data extraction included sample size, TMS stimulation frequency, TMS stimulation intensity, number of pulses administered per session, number of TMS sessions, and method of tinnitus assessment. DATA SYNTHESIS: Because of the heterogeneity of the studies reviewed, most of which had small populations of subjects, it was not appropriate to perform a meta-analysis. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to summarize and critique published research results. CONCLUSION: Although optimism for the clinical use of rTMS as an effective treatment for tinnitus remains high among many researchers, clinicians, and patients, several key questions and procedural issues remain unresolved. Suggestions for improving rTMS research protocols are described and discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)199-208
Number of pages10
JournalOtology and Neurotology
Volume34
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2013

Keywords

  • Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
  • Tinnitus
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Sensory Systems
  • Clinical Neurology

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