Exploring the Interplay Between Physical Activity and Idiopathic Tinnitus Management: A Scoping Review on Severity Modulation and Perceptual Outcomes

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025 Aug;77(8):3279-3289. doi: 10.1007/s12070-025-05594-2. Epub 2025 Jun 2.

ABSTRACT

Tinnitus, a condition characterized by the perception of ringing or buzzing in the ears, affects millions of individuals worldwide, often leading to significant distress, impaired quality of life, and mental health concerns. Despite the widespread nature of tinnitus, effective treatment strategies remain limited, with few established guidelines for management. Recent studies suggest that Physical Activity may play a role in modulating tinnitus severity and perception, providing potential relief for sufferers. This scoping review aims to systematically explore the current body of evidence regarding the impact of physical activity on idiopathic tinnitus, specifically focusing on its effects on severity, perception, and related symptoms. Through an extensive search of databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, studies were examined on investigating various forms of physical activity, including aerobic exercises, resistance training, yoga and mind-body interventions. Key outcomes assessed include changes in tinnitus loudness, annoyance, and quality of life. The review also highlights potential physiological mechanisms underlying the observed effects, including the modulation of neuroplasticity, stress reduction and the improvement of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health. Preliminary findings indicate that regular physical activity may offer a beneficial adjunctive approach to idiopathic tinnitus management, particularly for individuals with comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. However, the current evidence is limited and heterogeneous, underscoring the need for further well-designed clinical trials to better define the optimal types, intensity, and duration of physical activity interventions.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-025-05594-2.

PMID:40727180 | PMC:PMC12297040 | DOI:10.1007/s12070-025-05594-2