The Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Treating Tinnitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Amna Bashir; Nusara Khan; Adeel-Ur-Rehman; Priya Lohana; Syeda Areeba Shiblee; Neha Asif

doi:10.70749/ijbr.v3i4.1111

Authors

Amna Bashir Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital, Gujrat, Pakistan.
Nusara Khan Department of Physics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
Adeel-Ur-Rehman Resident Neurosurgery, Punjab Institute of Neurosciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
Priya Lohana Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan.
Syeda Areeba Shiblee Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan.
Neha Asif Jinnah Medical & Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i4.1111

Keywords:

Low-Level Laser Therapy, Chronic Tinnitus, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Visual Analog Scale, Patient Satisfaction, Safety, Tolerability, Randomized Controlled Trial, Treatment Efficacy

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and patient satisfaction associated with Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in the management of chronic tinnitus. A total of 78 adults (39 in the LLLT group and 39 in the Placebo group) suffering from chronic tinnitus (lasting at least 6 months) were randomly assigned to either the treatment or placebo group. A randomized controlled trial design was employed, with pre- and post-treatment tinnitus severity measured using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and Visual Analog Scales (VAS). Data were analyzed using Paired t-tests to compare within-group changes, ANCOVA to control for baseline severity, and Chi-square tests to assess safety, tolerability, and patient satisfaction. The results showed that the LLLT group experienced significant improvements in tinnitus severity, with post-treatment THI scores significantly lower than pre-treatment scores (p = 0.001). Additionally, LLLT was associated with higher patient satisfaction (76.9% vs. 64.1%) and fewer adverse effects (7.7% vs. 20.5%) compared to the placebo group. The study concluded that LLLT is an effective, safe, and well-tolerated treatment for chronic tinnitus, offering significant relief and high patient satisfaction. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term effects and optimize treatment protocols for broader clinical application. In conclusion, this study confirms the effectiveness and safety of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in reducing tinnitus severity. Significant improvements were observed using THI and VAS scores. LLLT was well-tolerated with minimal side effects. These findings support LLLT as a promising therapeutic option for chronic tinnitus, though further research is needed to optimize treatment parameters and assess long-term outcomes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Dehkordi, M.A., S. Einolghozati, and S. Abolbashari, Effect of low-level laser therapy in the treatment of cochlear tinnitus: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Ear, Nose & Throat Journal, 2015. 94(1): p. 32. https://doi.org/10.1177/014556131109000405

Mollasadeghi, A., et al., Efficacy of Low‐Level Laser Therapy in the Management of Tinnitus due to Noise‐Induced Hearing Loss: A Double‐Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. The Scientific World Journal, 2013. 2013(1): p. 596076. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/596076

Chen, C.-H., et al., Efficacy of low-level laser therapy for tinnitus: A systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis. Brain Sciences, 2020. 10(12): p. 931. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10120931

Ferreira, M.C., et al., Effects of low-level laser therapy as a therapeutic strategy for patients with tinnitus: A systematic review. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 2021. 64(1): p. 279-298. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_jslhr-20-00066

Choi, J.E., et al., A preliminary study on the efficacy and safety of low level light therapy in the management of cochlear tinnitus: A single blind randomized clinical trial. The international tinnitus journal, 2019. 23(1): p. 52-57. https://doi.org/10.5935/0946-5448.20190010

Okhovat, A., et al., Low-level laser for treatment of tinnitus: a self-controlled clinical trial. Journal of research in medical sciences: the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 2011. 16(1): p. 33.

Ngao, C., et al., The effectiveness of transmeatal low-power laser stimulation in treating tinnitus. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 2014. 271: p. 975-980. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-013-2491-3

Demirkol, N., et al., Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in subjective tinnitus patients with temporomandibular disorders. Photomedicine and laser surgery, 2017. 35(8): p. 427-431. https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2016.4240

Ali, R.T., T.N. Abdullah, and A.K. Emin, The effectiveness of two types of low-level laser therapy in patients with persistent tinnitus. Lasers in Medical Science, 2023. 38(1): p. 132. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-023-03797-z

Dejakum, K., et al., Medium‐Level Laser in Chronic Tinnitus Treatment. BioMed research international, 2013. 2013(1): p. 324234. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/324234

Elsayad, O.A. and B. Alsharif, Low-level laser therapy for treatment of tinnitus in Red Sea scuba divers: a randomized clinical study. The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology, 2022. 38: p. 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-021-00196-5

Teggi, R., et al., Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in Ménière's disease: a pilot study of 10 patients. Photomedicine and laser surgery, 2008. 26(4): p. 349-353. https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2007.2186

Panhóca, V.H., et al., Effects of red and infrared laser therapy in patients with tinnitus: a double-blind, clinical, randomized controlled study combining light with ultrasound, drugs and vacuum therapy. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 2023. 13(4): p. 581. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13040581

Montazeri, K., et al., Alterations in auditory electrophysiological responses associated with temporary suppression of tinnitus induced by low-level laser therapy: a before-after case series. Journal of lasers in medical sciences, 2017. 8(Suppl 1): p. S38. https://doi.org/10.15171/jlms.2017.s8

Talluri, S., et al., Efficacy of photobiomodulation in the management of tinnitus: A systematic review of randomized control trials. European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases, 2022. 139(2): p. 83-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anorl.2020.10.013

Eyvazi, M., et al., A comparative study on photobiological effects of low-level laser therapy and tinnitus retraining therapy in patients with acoustic trauma-induced tinnitus. Auditory and Vestibular Research, 2021. https://doi.org/10.18502/avr.v30i3.6535

Mahrous, A. and A. Elsamnody, Evaluation Of Low-level Laser Therapy In Bilateral Tinnitus With Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Egyptian Journal of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied Sciences, 2021. 22(22): p. 1-5. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejentas.2021.67553.1330

Goodman, S.S., et al., The effect of low‐level laser therapy on hearing. International Scholarly Research Notices, 2013. 2013(1): p. 916370. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/916370

Teggi, R., et al., Transmeatal low-level laser therapy for chronic tinnitus with cochlear dysfunction. Audiology and Neurotology, 2009. 14(2): p. 115-120. https://doi.org/10.1159/000161235

de Souza Rastelli, A.N., et al., Low-level laser therapy and its application in tinnitus, in Handbook of Low-Level Laser Therapy. 2016, Jenny Stanford Publishing. p. 721-746. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315364827-37

Mirvakili, A., et al., Low level laser effect in treatment of patients with intractable tinnitus due to sensorineural hearing loss. Journal of lasers in medical sciences, 2014. 5(2): p. 71.

Toson, R.A., et al., Treatment of chronic tinnitus with low level laser therapy. Int J Pharmtech Res, 2016. 9: p. 37-45.

Choi, J.E., Efficacy of low-level light therapy for tinnitus: a narrative review. Medical Lasers; Engineering, Basic Research, and Clinical Application, 2022. 11(4): p. 195-200. https://doi.org/10.25289/ml.22.038

Mollasadeghi, A., et al., Clinical Study Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Management of Tinnitus due to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/596076

Kleinjung, T., Low-level laser therapy. Textbook of tinnitus, 2011: p. 749-752.

Catão, M.H.C.d.V., et al., Evaluation of the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders: a randomized clinical trial. Revista CEFAC, 2013. 15: p. 1601-1608.

Masry, A., A. Mahrous, and A. Elsamnody, Evaluation Of Low-level Laser Therapy In Bilateral Tinnitus With Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Egyptian Journal of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied Sciences, 2021. 22(22): p. 1-5. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejentas.2021.67553.1330

Choi, J.E., et al., Photobiomodulation with near-infrared laser for tinnitus management: preliminary animal experiments and randomized clinical trials. Lasers in Medical Science, 2024. 39(1): p. 224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-024-04175-z

Cuda, D. and A. De Caria, Effectiveness of combined counseling and low-level laser stimulation in the treatment of disturbing chronic tinnitus. International Tinnitus Journal, 2008. 14(2): p. 175-180.