Transcranial Stimulation Treatments (rTMS & tDCS & tACS)

Discussion in 'Treatments' started by exodus, Apr 18, 2012.

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    1. exodus
      Cold

      exodus Member

      Tinnitus Since:
      05/2008
      hello there

      does anyone know if there is any center in uk or in europe that is using rTMS / Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to treat tinnitus?

      if yes please let me know

      thanks
       
      exodus, Apr 18, 2012
      #1
    2. Markku
      Inspired

      Markku Director Staff Benefactor Hall of Fame Team Tech Team Research Team Awareness

      Tinnitus Since:
      04/2010
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Syringing
      Markku, Apr 18, 2012
      #2
    3. exodus
      Cold

      exodus Member

      Tinnitus Since:
      05/2008
      thanks markku,it seems 50/100 of people are getting some results and only in reduction of the pitch but not total cure on it.i don t know if it s worth trying?
       
      exodus, Apr 18, 2012
      #3
    4. Markku
      Inspired

      Markku Director Staff Benefactor Hall of Fame Team Tech Team Research Team Awareness

      Tinnitus Since:
      04/2010
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Syringing
      I'm not sure, but maybe worth a try. It shouldn't be that expensive either to try it out. You can email the tinnitus clinic and ask for specifics. Their waiting list is long though...

      Dr. De Ridder is phenomenal to say the least, he can do several tests and try out different treatments. I've read great stuff about him and from people who've gone to the clinic. De Ridder is a top notch tinnitus specialist. Of course, expect no cures, but at least you will gain some insight and know that some new things have been tried out.
       
      Markku, Apr 18, 2012
      #4
    5. mick

      mick Member Benefactor

      Location:
      USA
      Tinnitus Since:
      11/2012
      Any one out there have first hand experience with Dr. Stubbemen in Los Angeles?

      http://www.drstubbeman.com/

      His web site leads one to believe he is on the forefront of using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulus for tinnitus and depression.
       
      mick, Feb 9, 2013
      #5
    6. Markku
      Inspired

      Markku Director Staff Benefactor Hall of Fame Team Tech Team Research Team Awareness

      Tinnitus Since:
      04/2010
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Syringing
      Merged the threads.

      Trying to achieve a concise yet informative library on tinnitus treatments, i.e. one thread per treatment type, avoiding duplicates.

      There have been some folks who've received (and reported on the web) this treatment in the Brai2n clinic, but I don't remember reading about any successes :(

      However...

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20971587

      Auris Nasus Larynx. 2011 Jun;38(3):301-6. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2010.09.007. Epub 2010 Oct 23.
      Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treatment of chronic tinnitus.
      Minami SB, Shinden S, Okamoto Y, Watada Y, Watabe T, Oishi N, Kanzaki S, Saito H, Inoue Y, Ogawa K.
      Source
      National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Tokyo Medical Center, 2-5-1 Higashigaoka, Tokyo, Japan. shujirominami@mac.com

      Abstract

      OBJECTIVE:
      There is compelling evidence that tinnitus is associated with functional alterations in the central nervous system. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a potent tool for modifying neural activity at the stimulated area and at a distance along the functional anatomical connections. Depending on the stimulation parameters, cortical networks can be functionally disturbed or modulated in their activities. Low-frequency rTMS has been shown to result in a decrease in cortical excitability. The technique can alleviate tinnitus by modulating the excitability of neurons in the auditory cortex. We aimed to investigate the effects of low-frequency rTMS in patients and determine the factors that predict a beneficial outcome with rTMS treatment.

      METHODS:
      Sixteen patients (male 10, female 6) with chronic tinnitus underwent low-frequency (1Hz) rTMS (intensity: 110% motor threshold; number of stimuli: 1200) to the left auditory cortex. The treatment outcome was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS) of loudness, annoyance and duration, loudness balance test, and tinnitus handicap inventory (THI). Therapeutic success was studied according to the patients' clinical characteristics.

      RESULTS:
      A significant reduction in the VAS (loudness and annoyance) occurred immediately after rTMS, with a gradual return to pretreatment levels after 7 days. The tinnitus patients with sudden deafness were significant resistant to rTMS treatment compared with those diagnosed with age-related hearing loss.

      CONCLUSION:
      These results support the potential of rTMS as a new therapeutic tool for the treatment of chronic tinnitus. Because this study was performed with a small sample size and showed high interindividual variability in treatment effects, further development of the technique is needed before it can be recommended for clinical applications.


      Some more can be found here, if anyone wants to look up: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=transcranial magnetic stimulation tinnitus


      Dr. Stubbeman's version of TMS is explained here: http://www.drstubbeman.com/our-cutting-edge-technology

      They have some testimonials on the site: http://www.drstubbeman.com/written-testimonials/#1

      First hand experience would indeed be welcome... Besides that one testimonial regarding treating tinnitus on his site.
       
      Markku, Feb 9, 2013
      #6
    7. bulldog

      bulldog Member

      Tinnitus Since:
      July 2011
      bulldog, Feb 9, 2013
      #7
    8. Louise

      Louise Member Benefactor

      Location:
      Yorkshire, UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      29/06/2012 Severe worsening Jan 2017
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Noise exposure
      Hi,

      Wondering if anyone has been on/is on this trial? Had an email today saying I can go on it starting this Monday!!

      Any info gratefully received :)
       
      • Like Like x 3
      Louise, Apr 12, 2013
      #8
    9. Hudson
      Cowboy

      Hudson Member Benefactor

      Tinnitus Since:
      2003
      Do you have a link to the study? Again... I suppose it's only in Europe. :)

      Edit* I am not even sure what this study is... I can't find anything on google about it.
       
      Hudson, Apr 12, 2013
      #9
    10. Markku
      Inspired

      Markku Director Staff Benefactor Hall of Fame Team Tech Team Research Team Awareness

      Tinnitus Since:
      04/2010
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Syringing
      Louise had a typo in the title; I corrected it.

      It's tDCS / tACS; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation / Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation.

      I couldn't find any UK based trials on clinicaltrials.gov, but it isn't a complete source not at all, so have to wait for Louise chipping in with further info.

      Something to look at in the meanwhile: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=tinnitus tdcs

      Markku

      PS. Also now merged the threads... let's discuss these treatments here! :)
       
      Markku, Apr 12, 2013
      #10
    11. Louise

      Louise Member Benefactor

      Location:
      Yorkshire, UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      29/06/2012 Severe worsening Jan 2017
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Noise exposure
      OMG, no-one's even heard of it anywhere and I might be, (in fact most probably will be), subjecting my cranium to it this Monday coming!! Oh hell, where is Karl and his long, informative posts when you need him?!!

      Hey, Huddy-man (is that quite American sounding?) its not only trials going on here you know, I was contacted about one in the US, again wanted to come 'next week' until they realised where I live! Bro-fist.
       
      Louise, Apr 12, 2013
      #11
    12. Hudson
      Cowboy

      Hudson Member Benefactor

      Tinnitus Since:
      2003
      How do you get contacted for all these trials? Haha... I'd love to be a guinea pig.
      There really isn't anything "American sounding" I guess, just stick with bloke, I liked that. :)
      Good luck on Monday! I hope you gain some insight from the clinicians and some relief from the procedure itself!
       
      Hudson, Apr 12, 2013
      #12
    13. Aisling

      Aisling Member

      Tinnitus Since:
      18/9/12
      Good luck Louise let us know how you get on. I know the brain2clinic in Belgium does those treatments. I think it's worth a try. Are they going to scan your brain first using the MEG? Louise are you in the UK? Sorry I couldn't follow the thread properly to see where the trial is on
       
      Aisling, Apr 12, 2013
      #13
    14. jazz
      No Mood

      jazz Member Benefactor

      Location:
      US
      Tinnitus Since:
      8/2012
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      eardrum rupture from virus; barotrauma from ETD


      Congrats Louise! Wish you all the best! It might take several sessions, but most people get relief. (It doesn't last permanently, but who knows? They need these trials to perfect the method. Maybe you'll perfect it!! :) ) Since your tinnitus is severe, I don't see a downside. I know you'll keep us posted.

      BTW, I miss Karl's posts too! :(
       
      • Like Like x 1
      jazz, Apr 12, 2013
      #14
    15. just1morething
      Benevolent

      just1morething Member Benefactor

      Location:
      U.S.
      Tinnitus Since:
      2008
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      barotrauma from airplane descent, noise exposure? ETD? TMJD?
      Good luck Louise on your TMS trial if that is what it is. You definitely need a break from T. I hope it works. Do you have to travel very far?
       
      just1morething, Apr 13, 2013
      #15
    16. jazz
      No Mood

      jazz Member Benefactor

      Location:
      US
      Tinnitus Since:
      8/2012
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      eardrum rupture from virus; barotrauma from ETD
      Louise,

      Which type of stimulation is it? There are various types of cranial stimulation, but all show some efficacy. Here's the summary of a meta-analysis of tDCS (transcranial direct current):

      Here's the link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3483673/

      5. Conclusions
      At this stage, the efficacy of tDCS in treating tinnitus patients cannot be confirmed because only 2 RCTs were eligible for meta-analysis. However, not only the 2 studies included yielded significant improvement in tinnitus intensity by active tDCS as compared with sham tDCS, but also all the studies included in the current systemic review demonstrated significant improvement of tinnitus intensity. Therefore, although supported by a limited number of studies, tDCS is a promising tool for tinnitus management, meriting further research.
      No standard treatment protocol of tDCS in tinnitus management is available at the moment. Future RCTs in a large series of patients regarding the efficacy of tDCS as well as the comparison between LTA-tDCS and bifrontal tDCS are recommended to further validate the role of tDCS and to set up a standard treatment protocol.
       
      jazz, Apr 13, 2013
      #16
    17. Markku
      Inspired

      Markku Director Staff Benefactor Hall of Fame Team Tech Team Research Team Awareness

      Tinnitus Since:
      04/2010
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Syringing
      It's tDCS/tACS. That was the original title of the thread Louise created until I merged it with this existing one.
       
      Markku, Apr 13, 2013
      #17
    18. jazz
      No Mood

      jazz Member Benefactor

      Location:
      US
      Tinnitus Since:
      8/2012
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      eardrum rupture from virus; barotrauma from ETD
      • Like Like x 1
      jazz, Apr 13, 2013
      #18
    19. Louise

      Louise Member Benefactor

      Location:
      Yorkshire, UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      29/06/2012 Severe worsening Jan 2017
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Noise exposure
      Hi, Thanks all for the info. I'll read these links/docs tonight.

      Yes Dale, its quite a trek for me as Im in the North of England and this is in the South (London). I have to go for treatment twice a week. I've asked what happens if it works, how would I get further treatment after the trials.

      When I spoke to the woman running the trials yesterday she said that they are having a 40% success with it. Please let me be in the 40%. I asked if the success has any correlation with type of tinnitus noise and she said not.

      I'll be posting my experiences here :)
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • Friendly Friendly x 1
      Louise, Apr 13, 2013
      #19
    20. exodus
      Cold

      exodus Member

      Tinnitus Since:
      05/2008
      hi louise,

      who should i contact if i would like to do it?

      i m in the west and it could help me

      p.s i was the one who started this post,the least you can do is to share with me;)
       
      exodus, Apr 13, 2013
      #20
    21. Louise

      Louise Member Benefactor

      Location:
      Yorkshire, UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      29/06/2012 Severe worsening Jan 2017
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Noise exposure
      Hi, sorry, I meant to say that yes I am in the UK. I cant remember the address to which I first emailed. But I have an email from the lady who contacted me about it so I'd better not post that here as its her own email. I'll PM you with it.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      Louise, Apr 13, 2013
      #21
    22. carlover
      English

      carlover Member Benefactor

      Location:
      London
      Tinnitus Since:
      1986
      carlover, Apr 13, 2013
      #22
    23. Louise

      Louise Member Benefactor

      Location:
      Yorkshire, UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      29/06/2012 Severe worsening Jan 2017
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Noise exposure
      This isn't magnetic Pete its tDacs & tAcs. Just the electricity not the magnetism! The trials are being held at UCL in London.
       
      Louise, Apr 13, 2013
      #23
    24. Louise

      Louise Member Benefactor

      Location:
      Yorkshire, UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      29/06/2012 Severe worsening Jan 2017
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Noise exposure
      Louise, Apr 13, 2013
      #24
    25. carlover
      English

      carlover Member Benefactor

      Location:
      London
      Tinnitus Since:
      1986
      carlover, Apr 13, 2013
      #25
    26. Louise

      Louise Member Benefactor

      Location:
      Yorkshire, UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      29/06/2012 Severe worsening Jan 2017
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Noise exposure
      Thanks for that Pete. Good wishes and good vibes gratefully received :)
       
      Louise, Apr 13, 2013
      #26
    27. Louise

      Louise Member Benefactor

      Location:
      Yorkshire, UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      29/06/2012 Severe worsening Jan 2017
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Noise exposure
      Hi Jazz, thanks for the info, I've read it now. I've confirmed now with the Trials person that I'll be getting both tDcs and tAcs. Its twice a week for two weeks then you have two weeks off. It will last until 20th June.
       
      Louise, Apr 13, 2013
      #27
    28. joe

      joe Member

      Location:
      UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      October 2011
      Hi Louise I am on this Trial also I have had my second session check out my picture :)
       

      Attached Files:

      • Like Like x 1
      joe, Apr 23, 2013
      #28
    29. Hudson
      Cowboy

      Hudson Member Benefactor

      Tinnitus Since:
      2003
      Hey Louise and Joe, any updates on how this trial is going for you guys?
       
      Hudson, Apr 23, 2013
      #29
    30. joe

      joe Member

      Location:
      UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      October 2011
      i had my Second session today, No change, however its still early days.. Over to you Louise !!!
       
      joe, Apr 23, 2013
      #30
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