Neurofeedback for subjective tinnitus patients.

Objective: Previous studies report that enhanced power in the delta range (1.5-4Hz) and reduced power in the alpha frequency band (8-12Hz) were most pronounced in the temporal regions. These studies referred to the 8-12Hz activity as tau activity, and they created a new neurofeedback protocol to treat tinnitus using a temporally generated tau rhythm (8-12Hz) and slow waves in the delta range (3-4Hz) for feedback. This study aims to repeat this protocol and to evaluate its effect on tinnitus.

Methods: Fifteen normal-hearing patients with tinnitus were treated with the neurofeedback protocol. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Visual Analogue Scales were administered before and after treatment and at 1, 3 and 6 months post-treatment.

Results: After therapy, all questionnaires scores were significant improved, and the improvements persisted throughout the followup period. Moreover, an increasing trend in the tau/delta ratio was observed; specifically, the trend was more stable respect of the pre-recording measure. However, only in some subjects may the signal alone be enough to develop the correct behaviors.

Conclusion: Further studies are necessary to characterize the tinnitus subjects who recovered from and adapted to this psychophysical condition and, therefore, responded to neurofeedback therapy.