Article

Tinnitus is the phantom perception of sound and can have negative
effect on the quality of life. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is
a noninvasive neuromodulation technique, which can increase or decrease the
cortical excitability in the brain region to which it is applied. tDCS has been
used for tinnitus research since 2006. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether tDCS
affects tinnitus perception, related emotion, or both, and the potential
implications for tinnitus management. METHODS: A scoping review was undertaken
using the methods proposed by Arksey and O'Malley. After initial consideration of
title relevance and reading abstracts, 15 studies were included in this review.
The data from these studies were charted to investigate the impact of tDCS on
tinnitus perception and emotions. RESULTS: tDCS results in transient suppression
of tinnitus loudness and annoyance; however, it does not lead to long-term impact
on tinnitus related emotion. Local stimulation of different sites of stimulation
(left temporoparietal area, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and auditory cortex)
might modulate tinnitus perception (loudness) and emotions differently; however,
further research is needed to explore this hypothesis. This review has identified
aspects of methodologies that require attention in upcoming tinnitus and tDCS
trials to offer better insights. CONCLUSIONS: tDCS is an effective research tool
for transient tinnitus neuromodulation. However, efforts should be invested in
designing clinical trials using local and multiple sites of stimulation,
optimized parameters, and objective outcome measures before it can be translated
in to a clinical tool for tinnitus management.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS