Supplementation with açaí (Euterpe Oleracea Martius) for the treatment of chronic tinnitus: effects on perception, anxiety levels and oxidative metabolism biomarkers.
Sheila Jacques Oppitz, Michele Vargas Garcia, Rúbia Soares Bruno and 6 others
PMID 35107519WHAT IT FOUND
Chronic tinnitus discomfort dropped significantly in the açaí group but not the placebo group.
Anxiety improved only in placebo. No changes in oxidative stress markers. The small sample size limits confidence in these results.
Key findings
01Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores decreased significantly in the açaí group (p=0.006) but not in the placebo group (p=0.093).
02Anxiety symptoms showed statistically significant differences in the placebo group, attributed to psychological mechanisms rather than the supplement.
03There were no significant differences in oxidative stress biomarkers before and after treatment for either group.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Very small sample size (15 per group), which reduces statistical power and increases the risk of type I and II errors. The placebo group showed significant anxiety improvement, complicating the interpretation of the açaí group's benefits. No significant changes in oxidative stress biomarkers, despite the supplement being marketed as an antioxidant. Convenience sample from a single institution. Nine participants dropped out, which may introduce bias. Authors state the results are favorable regardless of etiology, but the study was not powered to detect differences across subgroups.
Declared interests
The açaí extract was supplied by PHARMANOSTRA, a company that sells the treatment. The text does not explicitly state whether the company funded the study or influenced the analysis, but the provision of the material by a commercial entity is a potential conflict.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume açaí is superior to placebo for tinnitus. The açaí group improved on the THI, but the placebo group did not reach significance; however, the placebo group showed significant anxiety improvement, and the small sample size means the difference between groups may not be robust. The lack of change in oxidative markers also suggests the mechanism is not clearly antioxidant.