Version 1
: Received: 30 September 2024 / Approved: 1 October 2024 / Online: 1 October 2024 (11:57:46 CEST)
How to cite:
Michiels, S.; Wölflick, S.; Simoes, J. P.; Schlee, W. Exploring App-Based Physiotherapy for Somatic Tinnitus: Results from a Pilot Study. Preprints2024, 2024100007. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.0007.v1
Michiels, S.; Wölflick, S.; Simoes, J. P.; Schlee, W. Exploring App-Based Physiotherapy for Somatic Tinnitus: Results from a Pilot Study. Preprints 2024, 2024100007. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.0007.v1
Michiels, S.; Wölflick, S.; Simoes, J. P.; Schlee, W. Exploring App-Based Physiotherapy for Somatic Tinnitus: Results from a Pilot Study. Preprints2024, 2024100007. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.0007.v1
APA Style
Michiels, S., Wölflick, S., Simoes, J. P., & Schlee, W. (2024). Exploring App-Based Physiotherapy for Somatic Tinnitus: Results from a Pilot Study. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.0007.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Michiels, S., Jorge Piano Simoes and Winfried Schlee. 2024 "Exploring App-Based Physiotherapy for Somatic Tinnitus: Results from a Pilot Study" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.0007.v1
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.
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
