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http://hdl.handle.net/1942/44529
Title: | Exploring App-Based Physiotherapy for Somatic Tinnitus: Results from a Pilot Study, Journal of Clinical Medicine | Authors: | MICHIELS, Sarah Wölflick, Stella Simoes, Jorge Piano Schlee, Winfried |
Issue Date: | 2024 | Abstract: | Background: Somatic tinnitus (ST) is a type of tinnitus that is influenced by changes in somatosensory input from the cervical spine or temporomandibular area. Although traditional physiotherapy has been shown to reduce ST symptoms, in-clinic treatment is not always available, and adherence to home exercise programs is often low. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of an app-based physiotherapy program to enhance compliance and availability of treatment for ST patients. Methods: This pilot randomized controlled trial included 38 adult patients with chronic somatic tinnitus. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group receiving a 9-week app-based cervical spine exercise program or a control group. The primary outcome was tinnitus distress measured using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). As a secondary outcome we the Mini-Tinnitus Questionnaire (Mini-TQ). Results: Participants in the treatment group showed significant reductions in tinnitus distress, with a large effect size for both the THI and Mini-TQ (Cohen's d = 1.71 and 1.02, respectively). The control group showed no significant changes. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that an app-based physiotherapy intervention is a feasible and effective treatment for ST. Further research with larger sample sizes, comparisons to traditional in-clinic treatments is needed to confirm these findings. Additional studies on personalized treatment might further improve the treatment. | Keywords: | tinnitus;somatic tinnitus;physical therapy;smartphone applications | Document URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1942/44529 | DOI: | 10.20944/preprints202410.0007.v1 | Category: | O | Type: | Preprint |
Appears in Collections: | Research publications |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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preprints202410.0007.v1.pdf | Non Peer-reviewed author version | 1.18 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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