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Title
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Does multi-modal cervical physical therapy improve tinnitus in patients with cervicogenic somatic tinnitus?
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Author
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Abstract
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| Background: Tinnitus can be related to many different aetiologies such as hearing loss or a noise trauma, but it can also be related to the somatosensory system of the cervical spine, called cervicogenic somatic tinnitus (CST). Case studies suggest a positive effect of cervical spine treatment on tinnitus complaints in patients with CST, but no experimental studies are available. Objective: To investigate the effect of a multi-modal cervical physical therapy treatment on tinnitus complaints in patients with CST. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Patients: Patients with a combination of severe subjective tinnitus (Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI): 25-90 points) and neck complaints (Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire (NBQ) > 14 points). Intervention: All patients received cervical physical therapy for 6 weeks (12 sessions). Patients were randomized in an immediate-start therapy group (n = 19) and a 6-week delayed-start therapy group (n = 19). Measurements: TFI and NBQ-scores were documented at baseline, after the wait-and-see period in the delayed-start group, after treatment and after 6 weeks follow-up. The Global Perceived Effect (GPE) was documented at all measuring moments, except at baseline. Results: In all patients (n = 38) TFI and NBQ-scores decreased significantly after treatment (p = 0.04 and p < 0.001). NBQ-scores remained significantly lower after follow-up (p = 0.001). Immediately after treatment, 53% (n = 38) experienced substantial improvement of tinnitus. This effect was maintained in 24% of patients after follow-up at six weeks. Conclusion: Cervical physical therapy can have a positive effect on subjective tinnitus complaints in patients with a combination of tinnitus and neck complaints. Larger studies, using more responsive outcome measures, are however necessary to prove this effect. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
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Language
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English
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Source (journal)
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Manual therapy / Manipulation Association of Chartered Physiotherapists. - Edinburgh
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Publication
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Edinburgh
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2016
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ISSN
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1356-689X
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DOI
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10.1016/J.MATH.2016.08.005
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Volume/pages
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26
(2016)
, p. 125-131
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ISI
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000386601600019
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Full text (Publisher's DOI)
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Full text (open access)
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Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
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