/Objectives: Tinnitus has been linked to hemodynamic changes. Objective measures capable of monitoring hemodynamic changes during tinnitus treatment remain limited. This study investigated hemodynamic changes during combined acupuncture and moxibustion treatment in patients with subjective tinnitus using photoplethysmography (PPG) and pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound (PW Doppler).
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
This study provides preliminary hemodynamic data on acupuncture and moxibustion for tinnitus; evidence remains insufficient to recommend these treatments in routine audiology practice.
Tinnitus has very few evidence-based treatments, so any rigorous mechanistic investigation of alternative therapies is relevant, though results here are exploratory and not yet practice-changing.
- 01Acceleration photoplethysmography and pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound were used to measure blood flow changes after treatment.
- 02Study population consisted of patients with subjective tinnitus (ringing heard only by the patient).
- 03Acupuncture and moxibustion are traditional East Asian therapies not currently in mainstream audiology guidelines.
- 04Study investigates hemodynamic (blood flow) mechanisms, not just symptom relief outcomes.
- 05Findings are preliminary and do not establish clinical efficacy for tinnitus management.
Acupuncture and moxibustion produce measurable hemodynamic changes in patients with subjective tinnitus.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42776772
- DOI
- 10.3390/audiolres16050130.
- Journal
- Audiology Research
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Patients with subjective tinnitus
- Intervention
- Acupuncture and moxibustion
Primary outcomes
Hemodynamic changes measured by acceleration photoplethysmography; Vascular changes measured by pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound