Alternative Medicine Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Alternative Medicine, including details on complementary medicine, alternative therapies, homeopathy.

Phase-shift treatment for predominant tone tinnitus.

Lipman RI, Lipman SP

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA 16508, USA. ruthann.lipman@gmail.com

OBJECTIVES: To independently evaluate phase-shift treatment for predominant tone tinnitus. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, single-blinded crossover study. METHODS: 61 subjects with predominant tone tinnitus participated in 2 weeks of control and 2 weeks of phase-shift treatment. Frequency and intensity matching, pre- and post-treatment tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) scores, and patient diaries were outcome measures. RESULTS: Initial volume comparisons show a strong relationship between treatment and decrease in tinnitus intensity, with 57% of patients achieving successful treatment. Thirty-seven percent decreased by one THI grade, 5% by two. Utilizing patient diaries, 42% of patients reported periods of complete residual inhibition (CRI) ranging from 1 hour to 7 days (average 2 days). No periods of CRI were reported in control weeks. CONCLUSION: Phase-shift treatment significantly benefited the majority of our patients. These outcomes suggest that this device may be a valuable tool. Further long-term studies with home therapy are warranted.

Published 4 May 2007 in Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 136(5): 763-8.
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