[Assessment of motivational changes in tinnitus sufferers. A study of the transtheoretical model].
OBJECTIVE
Cognitive-behavioural treatment of chronic tinnitus needs active cooperation and motivation in patients. The transtheoretical model (TTM) defines the behavioural change using six different stages of change (SoC). In this study, we examined SoC in patients with tinnitus via a new self-rating instrument.


METHODS
An item-pool, consisting of 48 questions, was administered to 125 tinnitus sufferers in a cross-sectional study. In addition to data on tinnitus history, the tinnitus strain (THI, German: TB-12), scores of anxiety and depression (HADS-D), and life quality (SF-12) were assessed.


RESULTS
Four SoC could be identified empirically: (1) precontemplation, (2) contemplation/preparation, (3) action/maintenance, and (4) termination. Associations of the SoC with socio-demographic and tinnitus related data, as well as with the instruments applied, conformed with the theory.


CONCLUSIONS
The results confirm the transfer of SoC theory to patients with tinnitus.
Härter
M
M
Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg. martin_haerter@psyallg.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Battlehner
J
J
Münscher
A
A
Graul
J
J
Maurischat
C
C
D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009042:Motivation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*