부산대학교 도서관

Patients suffering from chronic tinnitus often present symptoms of craniomandibular or craniocervical dysfunction, suggesting examination and treatment by means of manual medicine. In this retrospective study of 46 patients with chronic tinnitus and treatment by manual medicine, the tinnitus questionnaire according to Goebel and Hiller showed a highly significant reduction of tinnitus burden upon comparing the mean scores before and after treatment (39.0 versus 21.5 score points). Furthermore, the data showed a shift from classes of higher to lower tinnitus burden according to Biesinger, where 52.9% of patients with clinically decompensated tinnitus could be recompensated. Results confirm positive treatment experiences of patients with tinnitus and are consistent with other recent clinical studies as well as with the recommendations of current otorhinolaryngology guidelines for diagnostics and treatment of chronic tinnitus by manual medicine. Summing up, manual medicine has a certain clinical potential for improving complaints caused by chronic tinnitus.