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Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation With Double Cone Coil in Chronic Tinnitus

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Chronic Tinnitus
Interventions
Device: Medial Frontal rTMS Double-Cone-Coil
Device: Left DLPFC Butterfly Coil
Registration Number
NCT01663311
Lead Sponsor
University of Regensburg
Brief Summary

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is used to modulate both the auditory neural pathways contributing to the perception of phantom sounds, and the regulatory neural network responsible for the generation of the individual amount of suffering caused by chronic tinnitus.

Detailed Description

Tinnitus is the phantom auditory perception of sound in the absence of an external or internal acoustic stimulus. It is a frequent problem which can interfere significantly with the ability to lead a normal life. Treatment remains difficult. Most available therapies focus on habituation rather than treating the cause. Tinnitus has been shown to be generated in the brain, as a result of functional reorganization of auditory neural pathways and tonotopic maps in the central auditory system. Low-frequency rTMS applied to the temporoparietal areas has been investigated for the treatment of hyperexcitability disorders such as auditory hallucinations and tinnitus. Pilot data indicate that taking into account affective components of the multiple overlapping neural networks responsible for the generation of a bothersome subjective tinnitus might enhance the efficacy of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) treatment in chronic tinnitus. A newly developed coil, the so-called double cone coil will be examined with regard to feasibility, safety and clinical efficacy in patients suffering from chronic tinnitus in a controlled pilot trial.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosis of bothersome, subjective chronic tinnitus
  • Duration of tinnitus more than 6 months
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Objective tinnitus
  • Treatable cause of the tinnitus
  • Involvement in other treatments for tinnitus at the same time
  • Clinically relevant psychiatric comorbidity
  • Clinically relevant unstable internal or neurological comorbidity
  • History of or evidence of significant brain malformation or neoplasm, head injury
  • Cerebral vascular events
  • Neurodegenerative disorder affecting the brain or prior brain surgery;
  • Metal objects in and around body that can not be removed
  • Pregnancy
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • Prior treatment with TMS
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Medial Frontal rTMS Double-Cone-CoilMedial Frontal rTMS Double-Cone-CoilHigh frequency rTMS ( Alpine Biomed Mag Pro Option) applied over medial superior frontal cortex (supplementary motor cortex) (Brodman area 6/8),Double-Cone-water-cooled-Coil (2000 Stimuli of 10 Hz each session), 110% motor threshold; followed by: low frequency rTMS ( Alpine Biomed Mag Pro Option) applied over left temporoparietal cortex, Butterfly-water-cooled-Coil (2000 Stimuli of 1 Hz each session), 110% motor threshold.
Left DLPFC Butterfly CoilLeft DLPFC Butterfly CoilHigh frequency rTMS ( Alpine Biomed Mag Pro Option): 2000 stimuli of 20 Hz over the left DLPFC (each session), Butterfly-water-cooled-Coil, 110% motor threshold; followed by: low frequency rTMS ( Alpine Biomed Mag Pro Option) applied over left temporoparietal cortex, Butterfly-water-cooled-Coil (2000 Stimuli of 1 Hz each session), 110% motor threshold.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of treatment responders (TQ reduction > 5, contrast Baseline versus end of treatment/ day 12)Day 12
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change of tinnitus severity as measured by the Tinnitus Questionaire of Goebel&Hiller, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Tinnitus Severity Scale and TBF-12Baseline vs. day 90
Change of depressive symptoms as measured by the Major Depression Inventory (MDI)Baseline vs. day 90
Change in quality of life as measured by the WHOQoLBaseline vs. day 90

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Regensburg- Dept of Psychiatry

🇩🇪

Regensburg, Germany

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