Pubblicazioni

Effects of Electrical Stimulation in Tinnitus Patients: Conventional Versus High-Definition tDCS

L, Jacquemin; GS, Shekhawat; de Heyning P, Van; G, Mertens; E, Fransen; V, Van Rompaey; V, Topsakal; J, Moyaert; J, Beyers; A, Gilles

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Contradictory results have been reported for transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as treatment for tinnitus. The recently developed high-definition tDCS (HD tDCS) uses smaller electrodes to limit the excitation to the desired brain areas. OBJECTIVE: The current study consisted of a retrospective part and a prospective part, aiming to compare 2 tDCS electrode placements and to explore effects of HD tDCS by matched pairs analyses. METHODS: Two groups of 39 patients received tDCS of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or tDCS of the right supraorbital-left temporal area (RSO-LTA). Therapeutic effects were assessed with the tinnitus functional index (TFI), a visual analogue scale (VAS) for tinnitus loudness, and the hyperacusis questionnaire (HQ) filled out at 3 visits: pretherapy, posttherapy, and follow-up. With a new group of patients and in a similar way, the effects of HD tDCS of the right DLPFC were assessed, with the tinnitus questionnaire (TQ) and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) added. RESULTS: TFI total scores improved significantly after both tDCS and HD tDCS (DLPFC: P < .01; RSO-LTA: P < .01; HD tDCS: P = .05). In 32% of the patients, we observed a clinically significant improvement in TFI. The 2 tDCS groups and the HD tDCS group showed no differences on the evolution of outcomes over time (TFI: P = .16; HQ: P = .85; VAS: P = .20). CONCLUSIONS: TDCS and HD tDCS resulted in a clinically significant improvement in TFI in 32% of the patients, with the 3 stimulation positions having similar results. Future research should focus on long-term effects of electrical stimulation.

Patologie/Applicazioni:

• Stimolazione elettrica transcranica (TES)
• Tinnitus

Anno:

2018

Tipo di pubblicazione:

Articolo

Parola chiave:

acufeni; tinnitus; hd-tdcs

Testata scientifica:

Neurorehabil Neural Repair

Nota:

Articolo sull'impiego della tDCS e HD-tDCS con elettrodi di piccole dimensioni, nel trattamento del tinnitus.

Commenti:

Stimolazione su DLPFC (dorsolaterale prefrontale) e su RSO-LTA (sopraorbitale temporale) Valutate le scae TFI, VAS e HQ, Osservato un significativo miglioramento del TFI (tinnitus functional index) nel 32% dei pazienti

DOI:

10.1177/1545968318787916