Using machine learning to predict acupuncture's effectiveness for tinnitus
Official title: Application of Machine Learning Based on fNIRS in Predicting Acupuncture's Efficacy in Treating Tinnitus
Run by The Third Affiliated hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University · NCT06364670 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing whether machine learning can help predict how well acupuncture works for people with tinnitus by looking at their brain activity during treatment.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The Third Affiliated hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hangzhou, Zhejiang) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 2024 |
| Main results expected | August 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | April 15, 2024 |
| Trial ID | NCT06364670 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are right-handed individuals aged 18 to 60 with chronic subjective tinnitus.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with objective tinnitus or significant neurological or psychiatric conditions may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This trial aims to recruit 500 subjects with tinnitus to analyze their brain activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Participants will receive acupuncture treatment, and their recovery will be assessed to categorize them into groups based on prognosis. The study will utilize machine learning to develop a predictive model based on the fNIRS data collected. This approach seeks to enhance understanding of acupuncture's efficacy in treating tinnitus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a personalized approach to acupuncture treatment for tinnitus, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of machine learning in acupuncture efficacy prediction is relatively novel, similar studies in other areas have shown promising results.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Bilateral tinnitus that meets the diagnostic criteria for chronic subjective tinnitus. * Male and female, aged between 18 and 60 years. * Right-handed subjects who are able to comply with the study protocol and sign written informed consent. * Not participating in other clinical trials concurrently. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants with objective tinnitus. * Participants have nervous system diseases or neuropsychiatric diseases that can significantly affect brain blood oxygen metabolism assessed by fNIRS. * Participants with severe cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, malignant liver and kidney diseases, and other serious diseases. * Participants have any contraindications for acupuncture (such as a bleeding tendency). * Pregnant or lactating women. * Participants have received tinnitus treatment with drugs or other therapies in the last four weeks.
Where it's running
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the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Hantong Hu, M.D — The Third Affiliated hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
- Study coordinator: Xiaohan Huang, M.M
- Email: 1215360683@qq.com
- Phone: 18334334738
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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DeepTMS for chronic tinnitus using different H-coils
This study tests whether deep repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation with different H-coils can reduce tinnitus distress in adults with chronic tinnitus, compared to placebo.
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Non-Invasive Neurofeedback for Tinnitus Distress
This trial tests whether real-time neurofeedback training can reduce distress from tinnitus in adults with bothersome symptoms.
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TRTL-913 in adults with tinnitus: safety and signals of benefit
This trial tests TRTL-913 versus placebo in healthy adults and in adults with tinnitus to see if it is safe, tolerable, and potentially helpful for tinnitus patients.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.