A randomised controlled study of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation therapy in the management of tinnitus.
M Arif, M Sadlier, D Rajenderkumar, J James, T Tahir
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology June 2017 DOI: 10.1017/s002221511700069x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 86 |
| Population | Patients with tinnitus |
| Interventions | Mindfulness meditation Relaxation therapy |
| Duration | Five sessions |
| Measures | Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, visual analogue scale, health status indicator |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Relaxation therapy Tinnitus |
| Key findings | Both mindfulness meditation and relaxation therapy produced statistically significant improvement on all outcome measures except a health status indicator, but the mindfulness meditation group showed greater change in treatment scores than the relaxation therapy group. The authors suggest mindfulness meditation is superior to relaxation therapy for tinnitus management. |
Abstract
Psychotherapeutic interventions have been adopted effectively in the management of tinnitus for a long time. This study compared mindfulness meditation and relaxation therapy for management of tinnitus. In this randomised controlled trial, patients were recruited for five sessions of mindfulness meditation or five sessions of relaxation therapy. Patients' responses were evaluated using the Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire as a primary outcome measure, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, visual analogue scale and a health status indicator as secondary outcome measures. A total of 86 patients were recruited. Thirty-four patients completed mindfulness meditation and 27 patients completed relaxation therapy. Statistically significant improvement was seen in all outcome measures except the health status indicator in both treatment groups. The change in treatment scores was greater in the mindfulness meditation group than in the relaxation therapy group. This study suggests that although both mindfulness meditation and relaxation therapy are effective in the management of tinnitus, mindfulness meditation is superior to relaxation therapy.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Development of a brief mindfulness‐based intervention to improve well‐being: A theory‐, evidence‐ and person‐based approach Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice September 11, 2026
- Mindfulness-based therapy for chronic tinnitus: a narrative review. Frontiers in Psychology 2026
- Healing From Home: Examination of an Online Mindfulness-Based Tinnitus Stress Reduction Course During the 2020 COVID Pandemic. American journal of audiology March 2023
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in the Management of Tinnitus. The international tinnitus journal June 21, 2022
- Systematic Review for the Medical Applications of Meditation in Randomized Controlled Trials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health January 22, 2022
and 3 more in the library
Cites 4
- Association of participation in a mindfulness programme with bowel symptoms, gastrointestinal symptom‐specific anxiety and quality of life Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics June 9, 2011
- A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for treating tinnitus. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy May 12, 2011
- The Support, Education, and Research in Chronic Heart Failure Study (SEARCH): a mindfulness-based psychoeducational intervention improves depression and clinical symptoms in patients with chronic heart failure. American heart journal January 2009
- Tinnitus rehabilitation: a mindfulness meditation cognitive behavioural therapy approach. The Journal of Laryngology and Otology January 2008