Fast-Tracking of Publication Times of Otolaryngology Papers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction The outbreak of COVID-19 has produced an unprecedented number of trials and articles

Responsive to Somatosensory Based Treatment Modalities

Studies have established that the somatosensory system of the upper cervical region and head can be intimately involved in tinnitus. Tinnitus can arise directly from a disorder of the head and upper neck through activation of the somatosensory system. ”Somatic testing ” (a series of strong muscle contractions of the head and neck) can (1) modulate the tinnitus percept of about 80 % of people with ongoing tinnitus, and (2) elicit a sound percept in about 50 % of people with no tinnitus. These somatic phenomena are equally prevalent among people with or without functioning cochlea. Only stimuli that activate pinna m uscle receptors, such as stretch or vibration of the m uscles connected to the pinna, were effective in driving DCN units, whereas cutaneous stim uli such as light touch, brushing of hairs, and stretching of skin were ineffective

Two Brief Group Interventions for Individuals with Tinnitus in Israel

Background/Aims: Subjective tinnitus is a common impairment throughout the world and typically cannot be cured. Coping strategies are cognitive, affective, and behavioural approaches for managing stressors like tinnitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two brief interventions on coping and tinnitus-related distress. Methods: A total of 45 individuals with tinnitus in Israel were allocated into one of three groups: acceptance and commitment therapy, coping effectiveness training, or a waitlist control group. Outcomes were assessed at three time points by the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced scale and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, a measure of tinnitus-related distress. Results: There was a significant difference among the groups on post-intervention Tinnitus Handicap Inventory assessment, but not on coping, when controlling for baseline scores. Pairwise comparisons indicated that the coping effectiveness training group scored significantly lower on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory than the waitlist control group. Conclusions: While the results are promising, a larger study is needed to further explore the efficacy of the brief coping effectiveness training intervention

A Russian adaptation of the tinnitus handicap inventory

<div><p></p><p><i>Objective:</i> To establish a Russian version of the English THI. <i>Design:</i> The English THI (THI-E) was translated into Russian by two bilingual investigators, independently. The final Russian THI version (THI-R) was constructed by a third investigator, from the two translations. This version was administered to fifty consecutive patients at a tinnitus clinic. Participants also assessed the loudness of their tinnitus, and completed the Russian versions of the Beck's depression inventory and the state anxiety Inventory. <i>Study sample:</i> The participants were fifty consecutive patients (older than 18 years of age with a tinnitus lasting over three months) who were treated at a tinnitus clinic. <i>Results:</i> A very good internal consistency was found (α = 0.94), with significant correlation between the THI-R score and the Beck depression inventory score. Factor analysis confirmed a uni-dimensional structure of the inventory. <i>Conclusions:</i> A valid and reliable THI-R questionnaire was constructed.</p></div

Diagnostic criteria for somatosensory tinnitus:A delphi process and face-to-face meeting to establish consensus

Since somatic or somatosensory tinnitus (ST) was first described as a subtype of subjective tinnitus, where altered somatosensory afference from the cervical spine or temporomandibular area causes or changes a patient's tinnitus perception, several studies in humans and animals have provided a neurophysiological explanation for this type of tinnitus. Due to a lack of unambiguous clinical tests, many authors and clinicians use their own criteria for diagnosing ST. This resulted in large differences in prevalence figures in different studies and limits the comparison of clinical trials on ST treatment. This study aimed to reach an international consensus on diagnostic criteria for ST among experts, scientists and clinicians using a Delphi survey and face-to-face consensus meeting strategy. Following recommended procedures to gain expert consensus, a two-round Delphi survey was delivered online, followed by an in-person consensus meeting. Experts agreed upon a set of criteria that strongly suggest ST. These criteria comprise items on somatosensory modulation, specific tinnitus characteristics, and symptoms that can accompany the tinnitus. None of these criteria have to be present in every single patient with ST, but in case they are present, they strongly suggest the presence of ST. Because of the international nature of the survey, we expect these criteria to gain wide acceptance in the research field and to serve as a guideline for clinicians across all disciplines. Criteria developed in this consensus paper should now allow further investigation of the extent of somatosensory influence in individual tinnitus patients and tinnitus populations.publishersversionpublishe