[Counselling versus a self-help manual for tinnitus outpatients: a comparison of effectiveness].
BACKGROUND
Counselling is a basic psychological intervention for chronic tinnitus the effectiveness of which has not yet been evaluated.


OBJECTIVE
The therapeutic effect of counselling was compared to that of a self-help manual. Outcome was analysed for tinnitus disability, tendency to become chronic, and accompanying psychiatric disorders.


METHODS
A total of 75 tinnitus outpatients were randomly assigned to group counselling (n=35) and self-help (n=40). Tinnitus disability, general psychological disturbances, depression, anxiety, coping and illness beliefs were measured using questionnaires (TQ, SCL-90-R, BDI, BAI, FKV, KKG) administered before and after treatment and at a 6-month follow-up. Psychiatric disorders (DSM-IV) were assessed using the CIDI.


RESULTS
Counselling and the self-help manual had a significant effect on tinnitus disability, showing most profit for participants with a high level of tinnitus distress. The significant reduction in tinnitus distress was maintained at the 6-month follow-up. There was, however, no difference between the two treatment-groups. Effect-sizes for patients with DSM-IV-diagnoses were smaller.


CONCLUSIONS
For tinnitus outpatients without psychiatric comorbidity, self-help manuals can be an effective first treatment.
Konzag
T A
TA
Universitätsklinik für Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Halle. tom.konzag@medizin.uni-halle.de
Rübler
D
D
Bloching
M
M
Bandemer-Greulich
U
U
Fikentscher
E
E
Frommer
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing*; D016896:Treatment Outcome