Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Effect of Manual Acupuncture on Acute Primary Tinnitus: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

China180 participantsStarted 2026-04-01

Plain-language summary

This multicenter clinical trial aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of manual acupuncture on acute primary tinnitus.

Age range18 Years – 65 Years

SexALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

✓. Aged between 18 and 65 years (either sex）;
✓. The primary complaint is tinnitus;
✓. Fulfilled diagnostic criteria for primary tinnitus;
✓. Tinnitus should be bothersome, with a THI score ranging from 28 to 76, and lasting for ≥2 weeks;
✓. Duration of tinnitus less than 6 months;
✓. No acupuncture experience in the past 3 months;
✓. No use of medication for tinnitus within 2 weeks before treatment, including intratympanic injections, postauricular injections, corticosteroids, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) or proprietary Chinese medicines and so on;
✓. Agree to sign the informed consent form.

✕. Objective tinnitus;
✕. Pulsatile tinnitus;
✕. Diagnosed as secondary tinnitus as evaluated by audiologists and clinicians;
✕. Combined conductive hearing loss (confirmed by abnormal otoscopy or abnormal tympanogram);
✕. Had contraindications for acupuncture, including pregnant women, severe anemia, coagulation disorders, etc;
✕. Having difficulties in expressing their symptoms clearly such as severe mental disorders or cognitive impairment;
✕. Currently suffering from other serious acute or chronic organic diseases, such as cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, liver, kidney, hematological diseases, infectious diseases, or malignant tumors;
✕. Participated in other clinical trials, particularly those closely related to tinnitus treatment, such as sound therapy;

Changes in tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) compared with baseline

Timeframe: During the baseline period, and 2,4,6,8,10,12 weeks after randomization.

Changes in tinnitus functional index (TFI) compared with baseline

Timeframe: During the baseline period, and 2,4,6,8,10,12 weeks after randomization.

NCT IDNCT07515482

SponsorDan Bing

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-10-30

Dan Bing, PhD

Who can participate

Age range18 Years – 65 Years

SexALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

✓. Aged between 18 and 65 years (either sex）;
✓. The primary complaint is tinnitus;
✓. Fulfilled diagnostic criteria for primary tinnitus;
✓. Tinnitus should be bothersome, with a THI score ranging from 28 to 76, and lasting for ≥2 weeks;
✓. Duration of tinnitus less than 6 months;
✓. No acupuncture experience in the past 3 months;
✓. No use of medication for tinnitus within 2 weeks before treatment, including intratympanic injections, postauricular injections, corticosteroids, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) or proprietary Chinese medicines and so on;
✓. Agree to sign the informed consent form.

✕. Objective tinnitus;
✕. Pulsatile tinnitus;
✕. Diagnosed as secondary tinnitus as evaluated by audiologists and clinicians;
✕. Combined conductive hearing loss (confirmed by abnormal otoscopy or abnormal tympanogram);
✕. Had contraindications for acupuncture, including pregnant women, severe anemia, coagulation disorders, etc;
✕. Having difficulties in expressing their symptoms clearly such as severe mental disorders or cognitive impairment;
✕. Currently suffering from other serious acute or chronic organic diseases, such as cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, liver, kidney, hematological diseases, infectious diseases, or malignant tumors;
✕. Participated in other clinical trials, particularly those closely related to tinnitus treatment, such as sound therapy;

What they're measuring

Changes in tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) compared with baseline

Timeframe: During the baseline period, and 2,4,6,8,10,12 weeks after randomization.

Changes in tinnitus functional index (TFI) compared with baseline

Timeframe: During the baseline period, and 2,4,6,8,10,12 weeks after randomization.