Tinnitus is a common neurosensory symptom affecting 12-30% of adults and is closely associated with anxiety, sleep disturbance, and autonomic dysregulation. Current pharmacologic treatments offer limited efficacy and notable side effects, prompting interest in non-pharmacological approaches. This randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled trial evaluates whether foot reflexology (FR), transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS), and auricular acupressure (AA) improve tinnitus severity, psychological distress, sleep quality, and autonomic indicators (heart rate variability and salivary cortisol) in non-cancer adults with tinnitus, compared with usual care. Participants are randomized to a foot reflexology group, an auricular vagus nerve stimulation group (each with true and sham subgroups), or a usual-care control group, and are followed at baseline and weeks 2, 4, and 8.
Age range
18 Years – 75 Years
Sex
ALL
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A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Change in Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score
Timeframe: T0 baseline, T1 week 2, T2 week 4, T3 week 8
Change in Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) score
Timeframe: T0 baseline, T1 week 2, T2 week 4, T3 week 8