Efeitos da fotobiomodulação associada à reabilitação vestibular no tratamento de pacientes com sintomas vestibulares e zumbido: ensaio clínico randomizado triplo-cego

PURPOSE: To analyze the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) associated with vestibular rehabilitation (VR) in adults with vestibular symptoms and tinnitus, compared to VR combined with placebo PBM, regarding the reduction of tinnitus discomfort and improvements in vestibular function, postural balance, and dynamic visual acuity. METHODS: Randomized, triple-blind clinical trial with 20 volunteers diagnosed with vestibular hypofunction and chronic tinnitus. Participants were allocated into two groups: research group (RG), which received VR combined with active PBM; and control group (CG), which received VR combined with placebo PBM. Both groups underwent ten intervention sessions, twice a week, over five weeks. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included: Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), dynamic visual acuity (DVA) test, and posturography. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney test (p