The management of chronic tinnitus: Comparison of an outpatient cognitive-behavioral group training to minimal-contact interventions.

The efficacy of an outpatient cognitive-behavioral Tinnitus Coping Training (TCT) was compared to two minimal-contact (MC) interventions. TCT was conducted in a group format with 11 sessions (total n=43). One MC [MC-E (education), n=16] consisted of two group sessions in which education on tinnitus was presented and self-help strategies were introduced. The second MC [MC-R (relaxation), n=16] comprised four sessions. Besides education, music-supported relaxation was suggested as self-help strategy. Furthermore, a waiting-list control group was installed (WC, n=20). Only TCT was additionally evaluated at a 6- and a 12-mo follow-up. Tinnitus coping and disability due to tinnitus were assessed by questionnaires, subjective ratings of improvement were requested from, and inventories of psychopathology were given to the patients. Findings reveal highly significant improvements in TCT in comparison to the control group (WC). MC interventions do not differ significantly from each other, but are superior to WC in a few domains of outcome. Outcome in TCT is somewhat superior to combined MC interventions in two domains of data, but not regarding disability reduction. Effect sizes, nevertheless, indicate distinct differences in degree of improvement, with TCT achieving the best results. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Accession Number: 2003-03420-017. PMID: 12670617 Partial author list: First Author & Affiliation: Kröner-Herwig, B.; U Göttingen, Dept of Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Göttingeng, Germany. Release Date: 20030428. Publication Type: Journal (0100), Peer Reviewed Journal (0110). Format Covered: Print. Document Type: Journal Article. Language: English. Major Descriptor: Cognitive Therapy; Relaxation Therapy; Tinnitus. Classification: Health & Mental Health Treatment & Prevention (3300). Population: Human (10). Age Group: Adulthood (18 yrs & older) (300). Methodology: Empirical Study; Treatment Outcome. References Available: Y. Page Count: 9. Issue Publication Date: Apr, 2003.