Spirulina platensis associada ao treinamento formal de habilidades auditivas em idosos usuários de próteses auditivas : estudo clínico randomizado

Abstract

Introduction. The elderly with presbycusis have as their main characteristic the difficulty in discriminating speech in noisy environments. This is partly due to the interference of the decline in the peripheral auditory pathways, central and central nervous system (CNS) in the processing of sound events. Formal Auditory Training (FAT) is based on the CNS plasticity allowing the modification of the neural substrate through the sensory channels. Antioxidants, with neuroprotective action, prevent and combat the action of free radicals that can lead to premature cell death. Objective. Evaluate the use of Spirulina platensis (Sp) associated with a TAF program of auditory skills. Method. Randomized clinical trial, single, multiple-blind with 14 elderly men and women, mean age 69.9, bilateral hearing aid users, divided in: G1 (control) and G2 (Sp TAF). The instruments used in the evaluation: 1) questionnaire Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly - Screening Version (HHEI-S), 2) Mini-Mental State Examination (Minimental), 3) Speech in Noise Test (SIN) and 4) Temporal Duration Pattern Tests (DPS), Musiek version. The groups received seven TAF sessions once a week. G2 capsules was provided with 3.0 g / day of Spirulina platensis administered for 90 days. The placebo was offered to the control group at the same dose and time. Results. There was improvement of listening skills trained, with no significant difference compared to G2. Conclusion. The use of Spirulina platensis in the studied conditions, did not increase the TAF hearing ability