The Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London are seeking volunteers affected with tinnitus for a research study aimed at investigating if tinnitus symptoms can be altered using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). The study is currently taking place at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience (ICN), University College London, 17 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AR.

Study details:

For each participant, the study will last ten weeks in total and will involve twelve, one hour sessions at Queen Square. The sessions will involve filling out a questionnaire related to the participant's tinnitus and 20 minutes of treatment with tACS, followed by a repeat questionnaire. Participants will also be asked to keep a daily diary of their tinnitus symptoms and sleep quality between sessions.

tACS:

tACS is a rhythmic brain stimulation method that is used to entrain specific brain frequencies using weak electric current. This is delivered with a battery-driven, constant-current stimulator through conductive-rubber electrodes placed in sponges saturated with saline and fixed to the scalp using a rubber band. The procedure is straightforward, comfortable and completely safe, with hundreds of studies to date carried out at the ICN using this method. A recent meta analysis of 95 studies (1998-2008) reported no serious or long term side-effects (Nitsche, et.al, 2008). Further information on tACS can be requested from me and any questions will be answered before and throughout the study. The idea of the study is to entrain/promote normal brain frequencies with tACS so that the brain activity underlying tinnitus is normalised or suppressed.

Eligibility criteria:

• Should have long-term or permanent tinnitus
• Aged above 18 years
• No tumours or neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, stroke or multiple sclerosis
• No use of benzodiazepines, which include diazepam (Valium) and temazepam
• No pregnancy
• No conditions preventing you from sitting still for half an hour

If you satisfy the above criteria and would like to take part, please give Maria Ironside (details below) a call to arrange suitable times for sessions. Alternatively, you could email her with your phone number and a suitable time when you can talk and she will be happy to call you.

This study requires a 10 week commitment, involving twelve one-hour sessions.

It will keep to the following structure:

Week Number     Number of Sessions

1-2                                  4

3-4                                  0

5-6                                  4

7-8                                  0

9-10                                4

 

Sessions will mainly be daytime sessions on Mondays and Thursdays. However, the session timings are entirely at your convenience and the researchers can accommodate evenings and weekends if this is preferable. As they are testing how this technique works over time it is important that you can attend all sessions. Unfortunately the researchers are unable to refund any travel expenses.

If you are interested in participating please give Maria Ironside a call or email, and if you know anyone who may be interested in participating, please pass on information about the study on to them.

Please feel free to contact Maria with any questions.

 

Maria Ironside

maria.ironside@gmail.com

Mobile: +44 (0)792 157 2590