title: Physiological and psychological stress reactivity in chronic tinnitus.
abstract: Several models of tinnitus maintenance emphasize the importance of cognitive, emotional and psychophysiological processes. These factors contribute to distress in patients with decompensated tinnitus symptoms. We investigated whether tinnitus patients show increased physiological levels of arousal, more intense stress reactivity patterns and exaggerated psychological strain compared to healthy controls. Seventy tinnitus patients and 55 healthy controls underwent various stress tests. Muscular reactivity and peripheral arousal as well as strain ratings were assessed. Tinnitus patients reported significantly more strain during stress tests compared to healthy controls. Few physiological reactivity patterns differed significantly between the two groups. The physiological data thus only partly supported a hyperreactivity hypothesis. Strain reports and physiological data were only marginally correlated. Tinnitus patients show maladaptive appraisal processes during stress exposure, yet physiological reactivity is only slightly affected. Treatment programs for patients with decompensated tinnitus symptoms should account for appraisal processes and coping mechanisms in stressful situations.
authors.affiliation: Section Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, 35032 Marburg, Germany. heineckk@staff.uni-marburg.de
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heinecke
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weise
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Winfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rief
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000502:physiology; D009622:Noise; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D012803:Sick Role; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology