Somatic Modulation of Tinnitus: Test Reliability and Results after Repetitive Muscle Contraction Training

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We sought to study the reliability of tinnitus modulation by muscle contractions and to observe the effect of their prolonged repetition. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with tinnitus underwent 9 maneuvers of muscle contractions in test and retest situations. After a 2-month training period of repeating the maneuvers, tinnitus modulation and daily perception were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no difference between the occurrence of tinnitus modulation in test (57.9%) and retest (63.2%) situations. After 2 months, the occurrence of modulation during the maneuvers was similar (55.3%), but a new pattern showed an increase in tinnitus improvement and a decrease in tinnitus worsening. The daily perception of tinnitus was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Maneuvers of head and neck muscle contractions evoked tinnitus modulation in a frequent and reliable manner. Also, the repetition of such maneuvers for 2 months altered the pattern of modulation.