Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as a Treatment for Tinnitus

Verification of the Usefulness of the Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Treatment of Chronic Tinnitus

Efficacy of different protocols of transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of tinnitus

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex has an add-on effect for primary auditory cortex rTMS in improving tinnitus-related distress. The investigators aimed to investigate whether rTMS of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and primary auditory cortex are capable of reducing tinnitus loudness.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of chronic tinnitus
• Chronic subjective tinnitus for more than 6 months
• Subject is naive regarding rTMS
• Other concurrent treatments: A four-week washout from any other tinnitus treatment or management program is required prior to entering this study
• Stable enough to complete this study per the opinion of the Study Physician
• No restrictions, provided the dosages have been in place for at least 3 months
• A three month washout from any other tinnitus treatment or management program is required prior to entering this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Objective tinnitus or tinnitus with treatable cause
• Presence of intracranial or intraocular ferromagnetic materiel or particles
• Cardiac pacemaker or other electronic implants (including cochlear implant) Serious heart disease or other unstable major medical condition
• Personal history of central nervous system disorder, head injury, stroke or seizures
• Familial history of epilepsy
• Concomitant medication with antidepressants and antipsychotics
• Pregnant women
• Others known contraindications to rTMS or brain MRI