Tinnitus rehabilitation: a mindfulness meditation cognitive behavioural therapy approach.
M Sadlier, S D G Stephens, V Kennedy
The Journal of laryngology and otology January 2008 DOI: 10.1017/s0022215107007438 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Waiting list control design Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 25 |
| Population | Chronic tinnitus sufferers from a dedicated tinnitus clinic in the Welsh Hearing Institute |
| Interventions | Cognitive behavioural therapy Meditation |
| Duration | Four one-hour sessions, three-month waiting period, four to six month follow up |
| Measures | Hallam tinnitus questionnaire |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Cognitive behavioural therapy and meditation significantly reduced tinnitus symptoms as measured by the Hallam tinnitus questionnaire, with improvements maintained at four to six months; no significant change occurred during the waiting period. |
Abstract
Chronic tinnitus is a frequent symptom presentation in clinical practice. No drug treatment to date has shown itself to be effective. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of cognitive behavioural therapy and meditation in tinnitus sufferers. Patients were selected from a dedicated tinnitus clinic in the Welsh Hearing Institute. A waiting list control design was used. Twenty-five chronic tinnitus sufferers were consecutively allocated to two groups, one receiving a cognitive behavioural therapy/meditation intervention of four one hour sessions with the other group waiting three months and subsequently treated in the same way, thereby acting as their own control. The main outcome was measured using the Hallam tinnitus questionnaire. A four to six month follow up was conducted. These showed significant statistical reductions in tinnitus variables both in the active and also in the control group. Post-therapy, no significant change was found after the waiting list period. The improvement was maintained at the four to six month period. The positive findings give support for the use of cognitive behavioural therapy/meditation for chronic tinnitus sufferers.