Internet-Delivered Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Tinnitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Weise C, Kleinstäuber M, Andersson G (2016)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2016

Journal

Psychosomatic Medicine Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins

Book Volume: 78

Pages Range: 501-510

Journal Issue: 4

DOI: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000310

Abstract

Objectives Tinnitus has a substantially negative impact on quality of life in up to 5% of the general population. Internet-based cognitive-behavioral treatment (iCBT) has been shown to be effective in a few trials. The aim of our study was to investigate iCBT for tinnitus by using a randomized controlled trial. Methods Patients with severe tinnitus-related distress were randomly assigned to therapist-guided iCBT (n = 62) or to a moderated online discussion forum (n = 62). Standardized self-report measures for tinnitus-related distress (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Mini-Tinnitus Questionnaire) and associated symptoms (tinnitus acceptance, anxiety, depression, and insomnia) were assessed at pretreatment and posttreatment, 6-month-, and 1-year follow-up. Clinical significance was assessed with the Reliable Change Index. Results Multivariate analyses of variance revealed significant main effects for time, group, and interaction in favor of the iCBT group. With regard to tinnitus-related distress, the significant univariate interaction effects (time by group) were supported by large effect sizes (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory: g = 0.83, 95% confidence interval = 0.47-1.20; Mini-Tinnitus Questionnaire: g = 1.08, 95% confidence interval = 0.71-1.64). For the secondary outcomes, significant interactions with small to medium effect sizes were found. Within-group effects for the iCBT, from pretreatment to follow-up, were substantial in regard to tinnitus-related distress (1.38 ≤ d ≤ 1.81) and small to large for secondary outcomes (0.39 ≤ d ≤ 1.04). Conclusions Using a randomized controlled trial design, we replicated prior findings regarding positive effects of Internet-delivered CBT on tinnitus-related distress and associated symptoms. Implementing iCBT for tinnitus into regular health care will be an important next step to increase access to treatment for patients with tinnitus. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT01205919.

Authors with CRIS profile

Cornelia Weise Lehrstuhl für Klinische Psychologie und Behavioral Health Technology

Involved external institutions

Philipps-Universität Marburg DE Germany (DE) Linköpings universitet / Linköping University SE Sweden (SE)

How to cite

APA:

Weise, C., Kleinstäuber, M., & Andersson, G. (2016). Internet-Delivered Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Tinnitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Psychosomatic Medicine, 78(4), 501-510. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000310

MLA:

Weise, Cornelia, Maria Kleinstäuber, and Gerhard Andersson. "Internet-Delivered Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Tinnitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial." Psychosomatic Medicine 78.4 (2016): 501-510.

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