Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Managing Chronic Tinnitus
Sang‐Yoon Han, B. Kim, Junsung Bahn, Hee Won Seo, Seung Hwan Lee, Jae Ho Chung
Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery May 14, 2025 DOI: 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2025.00073 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Prospective uncontrolled intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | Adults with subjective tinnitus, excluding identifiable etiologies, severe hearing loss, or other otologic conditions |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 5 weekly 60-minute sessions; assessments at baseline and 2 weeks post-treatment |
| Measures | Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), functional subscale of the THI (THI-F), emotional subscale of the THI (THI-E), catastrophic subscale of the THI (THI-C), Visual Analogue Scale for awareness (VAS-AW), loudness (VAS-LD), annoyance (VAS-AN), effect of tinnitus on life (VAS-EOL), Korean version of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy reduced tinnitus-related distress: mean THI scores dropped from 41.00 to 31.90 (p=0.005), with 65% of participants achieving a clinically meaningful reduction of at least 7 points. Annoyance, effect on life, and mental well-being also improved significantly, while emotional and catastrophic subscales did not reach significance. The authors conclude MBCT is a promising therapeutic approach for tinnitus. |
Abstract
Background and Objectives Cognitive behavioral therapy, with recent adaptations integrating mindfulness meditation techniques, is an established evidence-based treatment for tinnitus. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in alleviating tinnitus-related distress.Subjects and Method Between June and November 2024, 20 adults with subjective tinnitus were prospectively enrolled, excluding those with identifiable etiologies, severe hearing loss, or other otologic conditions. Participants completed 5 weekly 60-minute MBCT sessions. Tinnitus severity was assessed using the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) and its subscales (functional subscale of the THI [THI-F], emotional subscale of the THI [THI-E], catastrophic subscale of the THI [THI-C]), along with Visual Analogue Scale ratings for awareness (VASAW), loudness (VAS-LD), annoyance (VAS-AN), and effect of tinnitus on life (VAS-EOL) at the baseline and at 2 weeks post-treatment. Mental well-being was evaluated using the Korean version of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS).Results The mean age of the 20 participants consisting of 8 males and 12 females was 56.40 ±16.71 years. THI scores significantly improved from 41.00±20.02 to 31.90±20.49 (p= 0.005), with significant reductions in THI-F (p=0.012). While reductions in THI-E (p=0.052) and THI-C (p=0.081) were observed, they did not reach statistical significance. A clinically meaningful reduction in THI (≥7-point decrease) was observed in 65% of the participants. Significant improvements were observed in VAS-AN (p=0.021), VAS-EOL (p=0.022), and WEMWBS scores (p=0.006).Conclusion MBCT significantly reduces tinnitus-related distress, enhances the quality of life in individuals with tinnitus, and exhibits high adherence and acceptability, positioning it as a promising therapeutic approach for tinnitus.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Mindfulness meditation increases default mode, salience, and central executive network connectivity Scientific Reports August 2, 2022
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Unmedicated Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial With 6-Month Follow-Up. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2021
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Tinnitus: Evaluation of Benefits in a Large Sample of Patients Attending a Tinnitus Clinic. Ear and hearing 2018
- When the dissolution of perceived body boundaries elicits happiness: The effect of selflessness induced by a body scan meditation. Consciousness and Cognition November 1, 2016