Prognostic indicators for decrease in tinnitus severity after cervical physical therapy in patients with cervicogenic somatic tinnitus

Abstract Background Tinnitus can be related to many different aetiologies such as hearing loss or a noise trauma, but it can also be related to the somatosensory system of the cervical spine, called cervicogenic somatic tinnitus(CST). Recently, a positive effect of multi-modal cervical physical therapy on tinnitus severity in patients with CST was demonstrated. To date however, the outcome of the intervention cannot be predicted. Objective To identify prognostic indicators for decrease in tinnitus severity after cervical physical therapy in patients with CST. Patients Patients with moderate to severe subjective tinnitus (Tinnitus Functional Index(TFI):25–90points) and neck complaints (Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire(NBQ) > 14points). Intervention All patients received multimodal cervical physical therapy for 6 weeks (12 sessions). This physical therapy contained a combination of manual mobilizations and exercises of the cervical spine. Measurements TFI and NBQ-scores were documented at baseline, after treatment and after a 6-weeks follow-up period. Impairments in cervical spine mobility and muscle function were identified at baseline and after 6-weeks follow-up. Results Patients with co-varying (increasing or decreasing simultaneously) tinnitus and neck complaints had significantly lower TFI-scores after treatment (p = 0.001) and follow-up (p = 0.03). The presence of this co-variation and a combination of low pitched tinnitus and increasing tinnitus during inadequate cervical spine postures are prognostic indicators for a decrease in TFI-scores after cervical physical therapy (adjusted R2 = 0.357). Conclusion Patients who experience a decrease in tinnitus annoyance from cervical physical therapy are those with co-varying tinnitus and neck complaints and those with a combination of low-pitched tinnitus and increasing tinnitus during inadequate cervical spine postures.