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The Mozart effect in patients suffering from tinnitus

2012; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 132; Issue: 11 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3109/00016489.2012.684398

1651-2251

Giuseppe Attanasio, Giulia Cartocci, Edoardo Covelli, Elena Ambrosetti, Valentina Martinelli, Mariagrazia Zaccone, Alessandra Ponzanetti, N. Gueli, Roberto Filipo, Mauro Cacciafesta,

Noise Effects and Management

Conclusion: The study suggests that Mozart therapy could be a valid alternative to the common sound therapy methods in tinnitus patients. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence of the Mozart effect as indexed by a variation in tinnitus intensity and tolerability. Method: Sixty-two individuals aged between 22 and 78 years, reporting tinnitus for at least 1 year, were enrolled for the study. All patients attended a 1 h cognitive behavioral counseling session and listened to Mozart's sonata k448 for 1 h per day for a month. Afterwards patients listened to Beethoven's Für Elise sonata for 1 h per day for a month. To evaluate the general stress level, the impact of tinnitus on patients' quality of life, and the intensity of tinnitus, patients were invited to participate in three tests: the Measure du Stress Psychologique (MSP) questionnaire, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and a 0 to 10 visual analog scale (VAS). Results: For all the parameters investigated, MSP, THI, and intensity, there was a general significant improvement between the pre- and post-listening evaluation. A significant improvement, as regards THI and intensity, could already be appreciated after a single exposure to Mozart's sonata.