Exploring acupuncture effects on chronic tinnitus and brain function

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the relationship between peripheral and central auditory functions in chronic tinnitus patients compared to healthy individuals. It will enroll 72 chronic tinnitus patients and 15 healthy subjects, utilizing functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to assess brain activity and auditory brainstem response (ABR) techniques to measure auditory function. Participants will undergo acupuncture treatment based on the 'dao qi tong luo' approach, with the aim of observing both immediate and cumulative effects on tinnitus symptoms and brain function. The study seeks to elucidate the mechanisms behind the treatment's effectiveness.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Inclusion criteria for patients with chronic tinnitus

  1. Chronic tinnitus patients, that is, the course of disease ≥6 months;
  2. No contraindications of fNIRS scanning;
  3. The age of 20 years ≤55 years old, gender is not limited, right-handed;
  4. The external ear canal is unobstructed and the eardrum is intact
  5. The average hearing threshold of both ears is \<35dB;
  6. Normal expression and understanding ability. Inclusion criteria for healthy subjects

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  1. No tinnitus, no hearing disorders and other ear diseases;
  2. Good health condition, no history of mental disease and nervous system disease;
  3. No contraindications of fNIRS scanning;
  4. The age of 20 years ≤55 years old, gender is not limited, right-handed;
  5. The external ear canal is unobstructed, and the tympanic membrane is complete;
  6. Normal expression and understanding ability.

Exclusion Criteria:

* 1.A history of drug dependence or alcohol addiction; 2.Serious central system diseases or other systemic diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases; 3. Patients with organic diseases such as craniocerebral trauma; 4. Sudden deafness, Meniere's disease, otosclerosis, acoustic neuroma and other inner ear or auditory nerve diseases; 5.External otitis, acute/chronic otitis media and other external ear middle-ear related diseases; 6. Patients with auditory hypersensitivity; 7. Pregnancy, preparation for pregnancy, breastfeeding population; 8. There are metal implants in the body, fNIRS detection contraindicated.

Where it's running

• The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
  Hangzhou, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jie Zhou, M.D — The Third Affiliated hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
• Study coordinator: Da Jiang, M.M
• Email: jddyx2023@163.com
• Phone: 18890261521

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• DeepTMS for chronic tinnitus using different H-coils

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• Non-Invasive Neurofeedback for Tinnitus Distress

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• Foot reflexology or ta-VNS for tinnitus in adults

  This trial tests whether foot reflexology, left-ear vagus nerve stimulation, or auricular acupressure can help reduce tinnitus symptoms in adults with tinnitus.

  Recruiting Tzu Chi University · Hualien City · NCT07711639

• Mild 8 dB hearing amplification for tinnitus in adults with normal hearing

  This test tries wearing hearing aids that add a small (8 dB) boost to see if they reduce tinnitus symptoms in adults with normal hearing.

  Recruiting Technical University of Denmark · Lyngby · NCT07489807

• Neck nerve electrical stimulation combined with sound-frequency training for chronic tonal tinnitus

  This trial tests whether pairing a safe electrical stimulation of the greater occipital nerve with an active sound-frequency training task can reduce tinnitus loudness and distress in adults with chronic tonal tinnitus.

  Recruiting University of Dublin, Trinity College · Dublin, Dublin · NCT07393880

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.