The effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for tinnitus: a randomized controlled trial using 99mTc-ECD SPECT

• Published in: European radiology 2016-09, Vol.26 (9), p.3234-3242
• Main Authors: Laureano, Maura Regina, Onishi, Ektor Tsuneo, Bressan, Rodrigo Affonseca, Neto, Pedro Braga, Castiglioni, Mario Luiz Vieira, Batista, Ilza Rosa, Reis, Marilia Alves, Garcia, Michele Vargas, de Andrade, Adriana Neves, Sanchez, Maura Lígia, Moreira, Hugo Cogo, de Almeida, Roberta Ribeiro, Garrido, Griselda Jara, Jackowski, Andrea Parolin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Diagnostic Radiology; Imaging; Internal Medicine; Interventional Radiology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neuroradiology; Nuclear Medicine; Radiology; Ultrasound
• ISSN: 0938-7994; 1432-1084
• DOI: 10.1007/s00330-015-4164-7

Objective Investigate the effect of acupuncture on brain perfusion using ethyl cysteinate dimer single-photon emission computed tomography ( 99m Tc-ECD SPECT) in patients with tinnitus. Methods This randomized, single-blind, sham-control study examined patients (18–60 years old) with normal hearing and chronic, idiopathic, continuous tinnitus. Fifty-seven subjects were randomly assigned to true ( n  = 30) or sham ( n  = 27) acupuncture (ACP); 99m Tc-ECD SPECT examinations were performed before and after 12 twice-weekly ACP sessions. Secondary outcomes included changes in the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Imaging data were analysed using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM8) software. Regression models were used to examine secondary outcomes via two paradigms: intention-to-treat (ITT; where multiple imputations were conducted because of study attrition) and complete cases. Results No between-group brain perfusion differences were observed. However, a significant improvement in THI scores was observed at the end of true ACP treatment for all domains (all p  values < 0.01) except the catastrophic scale. Conclusions ACP might reduce the effects of tinnitus on daily life; however, additional studies should be conducted to verify the effects of ACP on the neural architecture and brain function of tinnitus patients. Key Points • Efficacy of acupuncture on brain perfusion and symptoms of tinnitus patients. • Acupuncture improved the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores in tinnitus patients. • No significant changes in brain perfusion were observed after 12 twice-weekly sessions. • Perfusion changes would reflect changes in neuronal function.