[Pilot study: evaluation of manual methods for modulating the cardinal symptom tinnitus : A prospective randomized study].

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus and vertigo have been studied in many ways. This led to a variety of explanations from multiple medical disciplines. The musculature of the jaw and cervical spine have also been researched in this regard. Dysfunctional musculature can trigger tinnitus and dizziness. This subtype of tinnitus is called cervicogenic somatosensory tinnitus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of manual therapy on subject-reported, individually perceived impairment due to cervicogenic somatosensory tinnitus (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory), dizziness (Dizziness Handicap Inventory), and hypertonia of the musculature of the head and cervical spine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective randomized trial, 80 patients (40 in the intervention group/40 in the control group) were medically examined and interviewed. Afterwards, they received targeted manual therapy.

RESULTS: After manual therapy, there were significant differences in the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, and muscular hypertonia between the groups, all in favor of the intervention group.

CONCLUSION: Manual examination and therapy proved to be effective. It should be increasingly applied in the absence of ENT pathology and suspected cervicogenic somatosensory tinnitus. The role of individual muscles requires further investigation.