title: Gameplay as a source of intrinsic motivation in a randomized controlled trial of auditory training for tinnitus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies of frequency discrimination training (FDT) for tinnitus used repetitive task-based training programmes relying on extrinsic factors to motivate participation. Studies reported limited improvement in tinnitus symptoms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate FDT exploiting intrinsic motivations by integrating training with computer-gameplay.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty participants were randomly assigned to train on either a conventional task-based training, or one of two interactive game-based training platforms over six weeks. Outcomes included assessment of motivation, tinnitus handicap, and performance on tests of attention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants reported greater intrinsic motivation to train on the interactive game-based platforms, yet compliance of all three groups was similar (∼ 70%) and changes in self-reported tinnitus severity were not significant. There was no difference between groups in terms of change in tinnitus severity or performance on measures of attention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FDT can be integrated within an intrinsically motivating game. Whilst this may improve participant experience, in this instance it did not translate to additional compliance or therapeutic benefit.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02095262.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit, Nottingham, United Kingdom; Otology and Hearing group, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Derek J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hoare
authors.affiliation: Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Van Labeke
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit, Nottingham, United Kingdom; Otology and Hearing group, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Abby
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McCormack
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit, Nottingham, United Kingdom; Otology and Hearing group, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sereda
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit, Nottingham, United Kingdom; Otology and Hearing group, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Hala
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al Taher
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing Research, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Victoria L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Kowalkowski
authors.affiliation: Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharples
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit, Nottingham, United Kingdom; Otology and Hearing group, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001299:Audiometry; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018910:Video Games