COMPARISON OF MANUAL THERAPY, TINNITUS RETRAINING THERAPY
65 participantsStarted 2026-08-12
Plain-language summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Manual Therapy (MT), Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), and their combination in adults with somatosensory tinnitus. Sixty-five participants will be randomly assigned to one of three parallel groups. Primary and secondary outcomes include tinnitus severity, tinnitus-related disability, neck disability, cervical range of motion, audiological measures, pressure pain threshold, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Outcomes will be assessed before treatment and immediately after the six-week intervention period.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 60 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults aged 18 to 65 years.
* Diagnosis of chronic subjective somatosensory tinnitus persisting for at least 3 months.
* Tinnitus that can be modulated by head, neck, jaw, or temporomandibular movements and/or cervical muscle palpation.
* Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.
* Willingness to comply with the treatment protocol and attend all scheduled assessment and treatment sessions.
* Normal middle ear function as confirmed by immittance (tympanometry) testing.
Exclusion Criteria:
Objective or pulsatile tinnitus.
* Tinnitus duration of less than 3 months.
* Diagnosis of Ménière's disease, otosclerosis, vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma), or other retrocochlear pathology.
* Active middle ear disease or abnormal immittance (tympanometry) findings.
* History of cervical spine surgery or severe cervical trauma.
* Presence of cervical spine fracture, instability, malignancy, inflammatory rheumatic disease, or other contraindications to manual therapy.
* Previous temporomandibular joint surgery or severe temporomandibular disorders requiring surgical treatment.
* Current participation in another clinical trial.
* Receipt of manual therapy, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), or other tinnitus-specific rehabilitation within the previous 3 months.
* Severe neurological or psychiatric disorders that could interfere with participation or outcome assessment.
* Pregnancy.
Inability to understand study procedure…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
The TPFQ is a validated patient-reported questionnaire