Comparative study of sensation and repercussion of tinnitus on the quality of life and craniocervical posture in teachers

Abstract

Purpose: to verify whether there is a correlation between tinnitus sensation and repercussion on the quality of life and craniocervical posture in teachers, participating in the Pró-Mestre project. Methods: a cross-sectional study with a sample of 90 teachers, mean age of 47.70 years, who responded to the Craniocervical Dysfunction Index (CDI), to verify the craniocervical posture, the analog visual scale (AVS), and the Portuguese adaptation of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), to investigate tinnitus and its impact on the quality of life. Appropriate statistical tests were applied, by adopting a significance level lower than 0.05. Results: out of the 90 teachers, 18 (20%) had tinnitus. There was a statistically significant difference between the sensation of tinnitus, according to the AVS and the craniocervical posture (CDI) in teachers (p <0.001). There was also an association between tinnitus complaint and right-rotation range of motion, with age and right lateral tilt being independent factors, regarding teachers' tinnitus sensation. In the correlation of the THI (total and domains), there was an association with cervical mobility, only in the left inclination. Conclusion: since a statistically significant difference was found between the subjective sensation of tinnitus and the craniocervical posture with a correlation between tinnitus sensation and repercussion on the quality of life and craniocervical posture in teachers, these aspects should be considered in the assessment of teachers presented with tinnitus, as well as further studies with a population of teachers, healthy adults, in order to increase the knowledge on the subject.