Clinician-Supported Internet-Delivered Psychological Treatment of Tinnitus

Abstract

Purpose: Internet-delivered psychological treatments for tinnitus distress have existed for more than 15 years, and there are a slowly growing number of studies. The aim of this brief report is to review the evidence and to comment on the future potentials of Internet treatments for tinnitus.

Method: Studies were retrieved, and in total 6 controlled studies were included in the review with 9 different comparisons (6 in which the treatment was compared against a control group and 3 in which Internet treatment was compared against group treatment). Moreover, 2 open studies based on clinical samples in regular care were also included in the review. The outcomes for the 2 controlled sets of studies were analyzed using meta-analytic methods.

Results: For the 6 studies comparing Internet treatment against a no-treatment control condition, a moderate effect size was found (Hedges's g = 0.58). The 3 studies comparing Internet treatment against face-to-face group treatments showed a small difference of Hedges's g =0.13.

Conclusions: Internet-delivered psychological treatment holds promise as a treatment alternative to other standard forms of treatment delivery, including group treatment. Larger studies are needed as well as ways to blend information technology with regular services.