Tinnitus rehabilitation: a mindfulness meditation cognitive behavioural therapy approach

Abstract

Background: Chronic tinnitus is a frequent symptom presentation in clinical practice. No drug treatment to date has shown itself to be effective. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of cognitive behavioural therapy and meditation in tinnitus sufferers.

Methodology: Patients were selected from a dedicated tinnitus clinic in the Welsh Hearing Institute. A waiting list control design was used. Twenty-five chronic tinnitus sufferers were consecutively allocated to two groups, one receiving a cognitive behavioural therapy/meditation intervention of four one hour sessions with the other group waiting three months and subsequently treated in the same way, thereby acting as their own control. The main outcome was measured using the Hallam tinnitus questionnaire. A four to six month follow up was conducted.

Results: These showed significant statistical reductions in tinnitus variables both in the active and also in the control group. Post-therapy, no significant change was found after the waiting list period. The improvement was maintained at the four to six month period.

Conclusion: The positive findings give support for the use of cognitive behavioural therapy/meditation for chronic tinnitus sufferers.