Manual therapy for treating somatic tinnitus

Efficacy of Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Somatic Tinnitus: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education and Research Hospital · NCT06433895

This study tests if manual therapy on the neck can help people with somatic tinnitus, which is a type of ringing in the ears linked to muscle issues.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorGaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education and Research Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Ankara)
Trial IDNCT06433895 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of manual therapy applied to the cervical region in treating somatic tinnitus, a condition characterized by the perception of sound without external stimuli. The research focuses on patients with cervicogenic somatic tinnitus, which is influenced by musculoskeletal factors rather than auditory issues. Participants will undergo manual therapy and exercise interventions to assess improvements in their tinnitus symptoms. The study aims to provide a potential treatment option for a condition that currently lacks specific therapies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 65 with cervicogenic somatic tinnitus and associated neck pain.

Not a fit: Patients with objective tinnitus, hearing loss, or a history of certain medical conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a new treatment option for patients suffering from somatic tinnitus.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically on manual therapy for somatic tinnitus, similar approaches in treating musculoskeletal conditions have shown promise.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Patients aged ≥ 18 and ≤ 65 years Patients fulfilling the clinical criteria4 defined for sevichogenic somatic tinnitus

1. Neck pain
2. Cervical joint range of motion limitation (especially rotation)
3. Modulation of tinnitus in relation to head and neck movements and posture
4. Tenderness in the cervico-occipital muscles Patients reporting cervical pain between \>2 and \<7 on a visual analogue scale (VAS) on most days of the last month Patients with stable medical and psychological status Patients willing to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

Objective tinnitus Subjective tinnitus with hearing loss Meniere's disease History of vertigo Middle ear pathologies History of intracranial pathology History of whiplash injury History of cervical spinal surgery History of active infection, malignancy, inflammatory rheumatic disease or fibromyalgia Pregnancy Patients who have undergone any exercise or physiotherapy programme for the cervical region in the last 3 months

Where this trial is running

Ankara

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Tinnitus, Subjective
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.