| Popis: |
Background: In Thailand, military personnel attending the annual firing practice are at risk for acoustic trauma (AT). Presently, hearing protection devices have been approved to prevent AT. Furthermore, N-acetyl-cysteine or magnesium were proved to be beneficial for hearing protective effect. However, the study of the effectiveness of nicergoline on preventing AT is limited. The study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of nicergoline in preventing AT.Methods: The study employed a randomized controlled trial design. Two hundred twenty-four participants were evaluated for general physical status, hearing threshold level and blood chemistry. The inform consent form was explained and signed, and participants were allocated to 2 groups. The study group (n=118) was prescribed nicergoline 30 mg twice daily for 2 weeks before the firing practice and 1 week after firing practice while the controlled group (n=106) was prescribed placebo. All participants had to wear the silicone ear plugs. The postfiring practice audiograms were measured within 48 hours. Aural symptoms (tinnitus and aural fullness) and the side effects of the medication were also recorded.Results: The incidence of AT was detected in 14 ears, 10 ears from the placebo group (p=0.075). The postfiring practice audiograms showed the average hearing threshold level of the study group significantly improved than that of the control group across all frequencies (ppConclusion: The incidence of AT occurred in both groups. The effectiveness of nicergoline from this study demonstrated reduced tinnitus after firing practice. Furthermore, the hearing threshold significantly improved in the study group. Trial registration: Registered 16 October 2019 – Retrospectively registered, TCTR20200519002. http://www.clinicaltrials.in.th |
