Comparative Effectiveness of Cinnarizine Versus Cinnarizine Plus Otic Bitter Almond Oil for Tinnitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Altern Ther Health Med. 2025 Apr 30:AT11329. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is a common auditory disorder and is often associated with anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and irritability. The shortcomings of current treatment options justify the exploration of additional treatment methods. Otic delivery of bitter almond oil has been suggested in traditional Persian medicine as a remedy for tinnitus.

PRIMARY STUDY OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bitter almond oil as an adjuvant in reducing the intensity of tinnitus.

METHODS/DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of cinnarizine versus cinnarizine plus otic bitter almond oil for tinnitus.

SETTING: The study was conducted at three medical centers, including Amir Alam Hospital, Imam Khomeini Hospital, and Baqiyatallah Hospital, affiliated with Mazandran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-nine individuals who met the inclusion criteria (providing written consent, being between 18 and 75 years old, and being diagnosed with chronic tinnitus by an otorhinolaryngology specialist), were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to two groups.

INTERVENTION: The intervention group received 2 drops of bitter almond oil into the ear and 25 mg of cinnarizine, while the control group received only 25 mg of cinnarizine twice daily for 4 weeks.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in tinnitus intensity were evaluated using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at the end of the 4-week treatment period.

RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in total scores of VAS and THI after intervention in the experimental and control groups separately (P < .05). However, there were no significant differences in pre- and post-intervention scores for THI and VAS between the two groups (P > .05).

CONCLUSION: The adjuvant use of bitter almond oil possibly helps to achieve a greater reduction in the intensity of tinnitus over time.

PMID:40293851