Impact of Neurostimulation on Patterns of Brain Electrical Activity in Patients With Tinnitus

IMPACT OF TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION ON THE STANDARDS OF CEREBRAL ELECTRIC ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC TINNITUS: CLINICAL TRIAL, DOUBLE BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED

Relating the electroencephalogram findings of patients with tinnitus before and after a therapeutic modality is still scarce in the literature, especially with neuromodulatory methods, more specifically with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation - tDCS. This study is a double blind, sham-controlled clinical trial aiming investigate the impact of tDCS on patterns of brain electrical activity in patients with chronic tinnitus. 36 volunteers with tinnitus will be allocated randomly in 2 groups: the first (n = 18) will receive anodic tDCS in the temporoparietal left area and cathode in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the second group (n = 18) correspond to the sham group. In addition, healthy individuals (n = 18) will be recruited for comparative purposes of brain electrical activity with and without tinnitus, totaling 54 participants. Patients with tinnitus will receive transcranial direct current stimulation for 20 minutes for 5 consecutive days (1 week) and will be assessed before and after intervention by electroencephalogram, Acuphenometry, Visual Analogue Scale - VAS and questionnaire Tinnitus Handicap Inventory- THI. Follow-up of volunteers will also be performed after 1 month of the end of treatment with tDCS.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age of at least 18 years;
• Chronic tinnitus for at least 6 months.
• Age-adjusted normal (sensorineural) hearing

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy and/or lactation;
• Concurrent treatment for tinnitus;
• Prior exposure to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS);
• History of epilepsy and/or seizures;
• Electronic implants or metallic objects in body;
• Skin conditions where electrodes will be applied;
• Major neurological co-morbidities.