Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for tinnitus.
Tinnitus is a common otological problem that is often resistant to surgical or medical interventions. In common with chronic pain, cognitive-behavioral treatment has been found to alleviate the distress and improve the functioning of tinnitus patients. Recently, a self-help treatment has been developed for use via the Internet. In this article, we describe the self-help program and apply it to a middle-aged woman with tinnitus. We report the case formulation, which was done in a structured interview, and the treatment interactions, which were conducted via e-mail. The self-help program was presented on Web pages, and weekly diaries were submitted to follow progress and give feedback. The treatment was successful with reductions of tinnitus-related annoyance and anxious and depressive mood. Implications for Internet administration of self-help treatment are discussed.
Andersson
Gerhard
G
Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Sweden. gerhard.andersson@psyk.uu.se
Kaldo
Viktor
V
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D034742:Electronic Mail; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012648:Self Care / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D014584:User-Computer Interface