Unresolved Issues Associated with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Treatment of Chronic Tinnitus

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been investigated as a potential treatment for chronic tinnitus 20 years. Numerous studies have reported that repetitive TMS (rTMS) demonstrated efficacy reducing the severity of and its associated co-conditions such depression, anxiety, insomnia. However, some researchers active rTMS is no more effective than sham (placebo) method. There are numerous unresolved issues in this field need to be addressed before can become viable tinnitus. These include type or brand system configuration; coil type, orientation, placement method; scalp neural target; laterality application; dual site vs. single stimulation; frequency intensity; number sessions; pulses per session; determination resting motor threshold (rMT); characteristics study population their tinnitus; outcome measures follow-up assessments. To address resolve these issues, large-scale, multi-site clinical trials conducted determine which protocols most effective. In absence investigations, studied remain continue impede application