Objectives. We investigated factors that contribute to suppression of
tinnitus after repetitive
transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Methods. A total of 289 patients with
tinnitus underwent active 1 Hz rTMS in the left temporoparietal region. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess
tinnitus loudness. All participants were interviewed regarding age, gender,
tinnitus duration, laterality and pitch, audiometric parameters, sleep, and so forth. The resting motor thresholds (RMTs) were measured in all patients and 30 age- and gender-matched volunteers. Results. With respect to different factors that contribute to
tinnitus suppression, we found improvement in the following domains: shorter duration, normal hearing (OR: 3.25, 95%CI: 2.01-5.27, p = 0.001), and without sleep disturbance (OR: 2.51, 95%CI: 1.56-4.1, p = 0.005) adjusted for age and gender. The patients with
tinnitus lasting less than 1 year were more likely to show suppression of
tinnitus (OR: 2.77, 95%CI: 1.48-5.19, p = 0.002) compared to those with
tinnitus lasting more than 5 years.
Tinnitus patients had significantly lower RMTs compared with healthy volunteers. Conclusion. Active low-frequency rTMS results in a significant reduction in the loudness of
tinnitus. Significant
tinnitus suppression was shown in subjects with shorter
tinnitus duration, with normal hearing, and without sleep disturbance.