Ugeskr Laeger. 2000 Jun 19;162(25):3607-10.

[Treatment of tinnitus with low-intensity laser].

Ugeskrift for laeger

[Article in Danish]
F Mirz, B Zachariae, S E Andersen, A G Nielsen, L V Johansen, P Bjerring, C B Pedersen

PMID: 11016286

Abstract

UNLABELLED: This study evaluated the effect of low-power laser in the treatment of tinnitus in a randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The active laser applied 50 mW (cw, 830 nm) over a period of 10 minutes per session. Forty-nine patients were included. The main outcome was measured using psychoacoustical match of tinnitus loudness, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ratings of subjective loudness, annoyance and attention involved, scores on tinnitus-specific questionnaires, and a number of psychosocial questionnaires. Only few subjects (18%) experienced subjective improvement. There were no statistically significant differences between the effects of the active laser and placebo treatments.

CONCLUSION: Low-power laser treatment is not indicated in the treatment of tinnitus. Reports of significant benefits of this treatment in previous studies may be explained by the placebo effect.

MeSH terms

• Adult
• Aged
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Laser Therapy*
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Placebo Effect
• Prospective Studies
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Psychoacoustics
• Social Support
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Tinnitus / diagnosis
• Tinnitus / psychology
• Tinnitus / radiotherapy

Publication Types

• English Abstract
• Journal Article