Tinnitus, Subjective
Conditions
Brief summary
Prevalence of chronic subjective tinnitus is rising with age and associated with maladaptive oscillatory changes in auditory as well as non-auditory regions of the brain such as the insula and the anterior cingulate cortex which are known to be key points within the salience and distress networks of the brain.Thus, we are conducting a clinical trial by implementing those auditory as well as non-auditory regions into a tomographical neurofeedback Training (ToNF) -protocol. Prior to 12 electroencephalography (EEG) -based ToNF-trainings with 36 older participants using standardized Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography Software (sLORETA, Pascual-Marqui 2002), participants' brains will be measured using structural magnet resonance imaging (sMRI) in order to identify potential structural markers for training success (e.g. cortical thickness). Training success will be measured by oscillatory change via EEG before and after the training period as well as by means of follow-up measures. Furthermore, a comprehensive battery of behavioral and psychometric standardized self-report questionnaires will be applied. Based on this multifocal (Insula, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex & auditory cortex) ToNF we expect oscillatory changes resulting in decreased tinnitus symptoms such as perceived loudness and distress.
Interventions
OTHERtomographic EEG Neurofeedback Training
EEG-Electrodes are placed on the patients head to record the brain activity, EEG-recordings are processed by the standardized Low Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography algorithm (sLORETA) to calculate the frequency spectrum in the auditory cortex, the insula and the anterior cingulate cortex and deliver feedback for the patient
Sponsors
University of Zurich
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
40 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* chronic tinnitus (\>6 months) * Age 40 to 80 * Informed Consent * Fluent in German language * mentally & physically fit
Exclusion criteria
* ferromagnetic implants * cochlear implants * average hearing loss over 50 dB * claustrophoby * addiction to alcohol or drugs * intake of anesthetics, tranquilizers, neuroleptics or antiepileptics * acute suicidal
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change from Baseline in Tinnitus symptoms assessed by questionnaires | Time Frame: at 1, 3, 6 month follow up | Assessement of the Tinnitus symptoms before and after the Treatment with neurofeedback by different questionnaires |
| Change from Baseline in frequency band EEG-activity in the auditory cortex, insula & dorsal anterior cingulate cortex | Time Frame: at 1, 3, 6 month follow up | EEG recordings of the trained frequency bands are compared before and after the Intervention in the named time periods |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| brain structure (volume, surface area) of the three regions of interest as predictor for training success. | Baseline (measurement before training) | MRI measurement before training |
Countries
Switzerland
Outcome results
None listed