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. 2018 Sep-Oct;84(5):653-659.
doi: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2018.02.003. Epub 2018 Mar 9.

The use of tDCS as a therapeutic option for tinnitus: a systematic review

Amanda Dos Humildes Maia Santos  1 , Afonso Paranhos Silva Santos  2 , Henrique Souza Santos  2 , Adriana Campos da Silva  3
Affiliations

The use of tDCS as a therapeutic option for tinnitus: a systematic review

Amanda Dos Humildes Maia Santos et al. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Sep-Oct.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Introduction: Due to the subjectivity of the tinnitus diagnosis and its diverse etiologies, establishing an effective treatment is complex. In this context, transcranial direct current stimulation, a noninvasive option, is available for most patients and has shown good results in the treatment of other symptoms such as chronic pain.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic response of tinnitus to transcranial direct current stimulation.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed using the following descriptors: tinnitus, transcranial direct current stimulation and randomized clinical trial. The research was carried out in the MEDLINE/PUBMED, Lilacs, and Scielo databases. The inclusion criteria were: patients over 18 years of age with no associated comorbidities, who had a diagnosis established by a specialist or through the application of previously validated scales and criteria applied by a non-specialist physician.

Results: A total of 4165 studies were found, and a total of six were selected after the inclusion criteria were applied, obtaining a sample of 602 patients. Based on the defined criteria, there was a positive response to transcranial direct current stimulation in 14.86% of the participants.

Conclusion: Based on literature studied, there is no therapeutic response of tinnitus to transcranial direct current stimulation.

Introdução: Devido à subjetividade do diagnóstico do zumbido e a suas diversas etiologias, o estabelecimento de um tratamento eficaz é complexo. Neste contexto surge a transcranial direct current stimulation, uma opção não invasiva, acessível para grande parte dos pacientes, e que tem apresentado bons resultados no tratamento de outros sintomas como dor crônica.

Objetivo: Avaliar a resposta terapêutica do zumbido ao transcranial direct current stimulation.

Método: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura, por meio dos seguintes descritores: zumbido, transcranial direct current stimulation e ensaio clínico randomizado. A pesquisa foi realizada nas bases de dados MEDLINE/PubMed, Lilacs, Scielo. Os critérios de inclusão foram: pacientes maiores de 18 anos sem outras comorbidades associadas, que tiveram diagnóstico estabelecido por um especialista ou por meio da aplicação de escalas e critérios previamente validados aplicados por médico não especialista.

Resultados: Foram encontrados 4.165 estudos, sendo selecionado após a aplicação dos critérios de inclusão um total de seis, obtendo-se uma amostra de 602 pacientes. A partir dos critérios definidos, houve uma resposta positiva ao transcranial direct current stimulation em 14.86% dos participantes.

Conclusão: Baseada na presente revisão, não há ainda uma resposta terapêutica do zumbido ao transcranial direct current stimulation.

Keywords: Estimulação transcraniana direta; Tinnitus; Transcranial direct current stimulation; Zumbido; tDCS.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study selection algorithm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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