Efficacy of Foot Reflexology and Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Tinnitus in Non-Cancer Adult Populations
Tinnitus is a common neurosensory symptom affecting 12-30% of adults and is closely associated with anxiety, sleep disturbance, and autonomic dysregulation. Current pharmacologic treatments offer limited efficacy and notable side effects, prompting interest in non-pharmacological approaches. This randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled trial evaluates whether foot reflexology (FR), transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS), and auricular acupressure (AA) improve tinnitus severity, psychological distress, sleep quality, and autonomic indicators (heart rate variability and salivary cortisol) in non-cancer adults with tinnitus, compared with usual care. Participants are randomized to a foot reflexology group, an auricular vagus nerve stimulation group (each with true and sham subgroups), or a usual-care control group, and are followed at baseline and weeks 2, 4, and 8.
• Age 18-75 years, conscious, able to communicate and comprehend, and able to complete questionnaires and comply with study procedures
• Tinnitus as the sole chief complaint, with pure-tone thresholds ≤25 dB HL bilaterally at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz