Psychophysiologic treatment of chronic tinnitus: a randomized clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
Tinnitus seems to be associated with psychophysiological over-activation (e.g., of head and shoulder muscles). Therefore we aimed to develop and evaluate a new intervention program including a psychophysiological approach.


METHODS
Forty-three tinnitus sufferers were randomized to 2 groups, one receiving a psychophysiologically oriented intervention lasting 7 intervention sessions (plus 2 assessment sessions), whereas the other group waited for a comparable time period. Afterward, patients on the waiting list also received the intervention. Physiological variables were muscle activity of head and shoulders and electrodermal activity. Psychological assessments took place at pretreatment, post-treatment, and 6 months later. Follow-up data were available from 95% of participants. Major outcome variables were self-rating scales (e.g., tinnitus annoyance assessed by the Tinnitus Questionnaire), and diary data (self-control, daily time of perceiving the tinnitus).


RESULTS
On most tinnitus specific variables, patients in the treatment group improved significantly more than patients on the waiting list. Main effect sizes for tinnitus-specific variables were up to 0.89. Muscle reactivity of head muscles at the beginning predicted significant treatment effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with meta-analytical reviews of psychological interventions for tinnitus sufferers, the presented treatment is brief and in the upper range of effectiveness.
Rief
Winfried
W
Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Marburg, Germany. rief@staff.uni-marburg.de
Weise
Cornelia
C
Kley
Nadine
N
Martin
Alexandra
A
D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000502:physiology; D006266:Health Education; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000502:physiology; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011603:Psychophysiology / Q000379:methods*; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012782:Shoulder / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014850:Waiting Lists