A feasibility study assessing the effectivness of rTMS in tinnitus v1

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A feasibility study to assess the effectiveness of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of tinnitus

• IRAS ID

  138819

• Contact name

  Jaydip Ray

• Contact email

  Jaydip.Ray@sth.nhs.uk

• Research summary

  Tinnitus is the hearing of noise in the absence of any sound stimulation of the ear. It is common but can be a persistent and distressing problem and at present no truly effective treatment exists.
  Advances in medical imaging have contributed to an increased understanding of the role that the areas of the brain responsible for hearing, play in the generation of tinnitus. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a method of stimulating the brain through the application of a magnetic field in a series of rapid pulses. Applying rTMS to the area of the brain responsible for the production of tinnitus could potentially alter the abnormal activity in this area, leading to an improvement in symptoms. Research investigating the use of rTMS in tinnitus has shown varied results. There are different ways to administer the stimulation and the best way to use the technique to obtain the best results is unclear.

  The proposed feasibility study is needed to determine whether larger studies, which could address some of these problems would be possible. 40 Patients suffering with tinnitus of unknown cause will be recruited. Patients will be randomised into 2 groups, a control group receiving 5 days sham treatment, and an active treatment group receiving 5 days of theta-burst rTMS.The effect of treatment will be assessed through the use of the Tinnitus Functional Index an existing validated tinnitus questionnaire. Feasibility outcomes will be assessed through monitoring retention and recruitment rates and the use of questionnaires related to feasibility outcomes.

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/YH/1045

• Date of REC Opinion

  14 Aug 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion