Home›Neurology› Acupuncture improves total effective rate and reduces tinnitus and anxiety scores in patients
Acupuncture improves total effective rate and reduces tinnitus and anxiety scores in patientsAcupuncture Shows Better Results for Tinnitus and Anxiety
Frontiers in MedicinePublished September 22, 2026DOI ↗Editorial oversight: Dr. Ji-eun Park, MD · Brain, Mind & Pain
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Key Takeaway
Consider acupuncture to improve total effective rates and reduce clinical scores for tinnitus and anxiety.
This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture compared to non-acupuncture approaches in patients with tinnitus and anxiety. The analysis included a total of 908 patients and focused on clinical outcomes including total effective rates and various subjective and objective scales for tinnitus and anxiety.
Acupuncture demonstrated superiority in improving the total effective rate (RR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.26, P < 0.00001). Significant reductions were observed across multiple clinical scales: TEQ (MD = -1.96, P < 0.00001), THI (MD = -9.11, P < 0.00001), TCM syndrome scores (MD = -0.59, P = 0.03), HAMA (MD = -2.04, P = 0.0001), SAS (MD = -3.50, P = 0.01), and BAI (MD = -8.80, P = 0.0002).
Regarding biochemical markers, the study reported no significant differences for BDNF (P = 0.56), 5-HT (P = 0.19), or GABA (P = 0.28). The authors noted low evidence levels for these specific biomarkers. Clinical results suggest acupuncture may be an effective intervention for managing the dual symptoms of tinnitus and anxiety, though biochemical mechanisms remain unclear.
How this fits prior evidence
This meta-analysis addresses a gap in managing comorbid tinnitus and anxiety. While previous evidence noted that sleep paralysis is associated with higher anxiety scores and that dexmedetomidine can reduce acute perioperative anxiety, this study specifically evaluates acupuncture as a non-pharmacological intervention for tinnitus-related anxiety. It provides evidence for acupuncture's role in improving clinical scores, though it does not provide data on the biochemical pathways of anxiety.
A large review of data from 908 patients looked at how acupuncture helps people dealing with both tinnitus and anxiety. The researchers compared acupuncture to other types of care to see which method worked better for these specific conditions.
The results showed that acupuncture was more effective at improving overall success rates. Patients who received acupuncture saw significant improvements in their tinnitus severity and the impact tinnitus had on their daily lives. Additionally, several different scales used to measure anxiety levels showed significant improvements for those receiving acupuncture.
While the study showed positive results for symptoms, it is important to note that the evidence for certain biological markers, such as BDNF, 5-HT, and GABA, was low and not statistically significant. Because this was a meta-analysis of various studies, the results show a link between acupuncture and symptom relief, but they do not prove a direct cause. You should speak with your doctor to see if this approach is right for your specific health needs.
What this means for you:
Acupuncture may improve tinnitus and anxiety symptoms more than other treatments, but more research is needed.
Common questions
How does acupuncture compare to other treatments for tinnitus?
The study found that acupuncture was more effective than non-acupuncture approaches in improving the total effective rate. It specifically helped reduce scores on the Tinnitus Severity Questionnaire and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, which measure how much tinnitus affects a person's daily life.
Can acupuncture help with anxiety related to tinnitus?
Yes, the study showed that acupuncture led to significant reductions in several anxiety scales, including the HAMA, SAS, and BAI. These scores are used to measure different aspects of anxiety and stress in patients.
Are there any biological changes found in the body?
The study looked at three specific markers: BDNF, 5-HT, and GABA. However, the results for these three markers were not significant. Because the evidence for these specific markers is low, they cannot be used to confirm a biological cause for the improvements.
BackgroundEvidence suggests that acupuncture can alleviate tinnitus symptoms and improve the anxiety associated with tinnitus, but the relationship between these outcomes is unclear.ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for tinnitus with anxiety using a meta-analysis.MethodsComputerized searches were conducted in nine databases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Journal Full-text Database, SinoMed, Chinese Medical Journal Full-text Database (CMAJD), PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The search covered the period from the establishment of each database to January 15, 2026. Relevant randomized controlled trials meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. The Cochrane Collaboration's recommended methods were used to assess the quality of included studies. Outcomes evaluated included the total effective rate, Tinnitus Severity Questionnaire (TEQ), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome scores (TCM syndrome scores), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and serum gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels as outcome measures. Meta-analysis was performed using ReMan 5.3 software.ResultsTwelve studies involving 908 patients were included. Meta-analysis revealed that acupuncture demonstrated superiority in improving the total effective rate for tinnitus with anxiety (RR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.10–1.26, P < 0.00001) and significantly reduced TEQ scores (MD = −1.96, 95% CI: −2.47 to −1.45, Z = 7.57, P < 0.00001), and THI (MD = −9.11, 95% CI: −12.89 to −5.34, Z = 4.73, P < 0.00001), TCM syndrome scores (MD = −0.59, 95% CI: −1.13 to −0.06, Z = 2.17, P = 0.03 < 0.05), HAMA (MD = −2.04, 95% CI: −3.08 to −1.00, Z = 3.84, P = 0.0001 < 0.05) scores, SAS (MD = −3.50, 95% CI: −6.22 to −0.77, Z = 2.52, P = 0.01 < 0.05), BAI (MD = −8.80, 95% CI: −13.48 to −4.12, Z = 3.68, P = 0.0002 < 0.05) scores, but not in improving BDNF (MD = −72.27, 95% CI: −312.41 to 167.87, Z = 0.59, P = 0.56 > 0.05), 5-HT (MD = −22.56, 95% CI: −56.12 to 10.99, Z = 1.32, P = 0.19 > 0.05), and GABA (MD = 56.23, 95% CI: −46.50 to 158.96, Z = 1.07, P = 0.28 > 0.05) levels.ConclusionsAcupuncture treatment for tinnitus with anxiety demonstrated greater improvement than non-acupuncture approaches in enhancing the clinical total effective rate and reducing TEQ, THI, TCM syndrome scores, BAI, HAMA, and SAS scores, warranting clinical promotion. However, evidence levels for certain outcome measures (BDNF, 5-HT, and GABA) remain low, necessitating further validation through well-designed, methodologically rigorous, high-quality, large-scale randomized controlled trials.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024596594; identifier: CRD42024596594.
