A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for treating tinnitus.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness training versus relaxation training in reducing negative psychological effects of tinnitus after initial psychoeducation.
Results Summary
Mindfulness training maintained or enhanced the benefits of psychoeducation in reducing negative emotions, rumination, and psychological difficulties related to tinnitus, while relaxation training showed erosion of these effects over time. The study suggests mindfulness may be a useful addition to psychoeducation for tinnitus-related psychological consequences.
Population
People with tinnitus
Effective Dosage
Six weekly sessions (after initial psychoeducation)
Duration
2 months (follow-up after initial psychoeducation) + 6 weeks of intervention
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
psychoeducation about tinnitus | decrease | negative emotions | People with tinnitus | - | benefits in reducing | #1 |
psychoeducation about tinnitus | decrease | rumination | People with tinnitus | - | benefits in reducing | #2 |
psychoeducation about tinnitus | decrease | psychological difficulties of living with tinnitus | People with tinnitus | - | benefits in reducing | #3 |
mindfulness training | increase | effects from psychoeducation | People with tinnitus | - | maintained or enhanced | #4 |
relaxation training | decrease | effects from psychoeducation | People with tinnitus | - | eroded | #5 |
mindfulness training | decrease | psychological consequences of tinnitus | this population | - | might constitute a useful addition to psychoeducation | #6 |
UNLABELLED: We conducted a randomized clinical trial to examine the relative effectiveness of two psychological interventions for treating tinnitus. People with tinnitus were initially offered a single session of psychoeducation about tinnitus, followed 2 months later by six weekly sessions of either mindfulness or relaxation training. Results indicated benefits from psychoeducation in reducing negative emotions, rumination and psychological difficulties of living with tinnitus. These effects were maintained or enhanced by mindfulness training that also emphasized acceptance, although they were eroded in the relaxation condition over the follow-up. Mediating processes are discussed, and suggestions for refining clinical interventions for this population are offered. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE: The present results suggest that mindfulness training might constitute a useful addition to psychoeducation for interventions targeting the psychological consequences of tinnitus.