A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of self-help interventions in tinnitus.

This study is a review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) self-help interventions for tinnitus. Randomized controlled trials were identified by searching in databases (e.g. ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and PSYNDEX) and by manual search. Ten studies with 1188 participants in total were included in the meta-analysis. Participants were 49.2 years old and had tinnitus for 5.2 years. Self-help interventions significantly reduced tinnitus distress (d = 0.48) and depressiveness (d = 0.25) when compared with a passive control (e.g. information only and discussion forums) at post-assessment. There was no difference to the face-to-face controls (group treatment). The presence of therapists and the methodological quality of the studies did not influence the results. Sensitivity analysis revealed that there might be a publication bias regarding the comparison to the face-to-face control. However, the results suggest that CBT self-help interventions are an effective treatment for tinnitus distress. Since few studies were identified, this conclusion must be supported by future meta-analyses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Accession Number: 2013-22177-008. PMID: 23777192 Other Journal Title: Scandinavian Journal of Behaviour Therapy. Partial author list: First Author & Affiliation: Nyenhuis, Nele; Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Gottingen, Gottingen, Germany. Release Date: 20130715. Correction Date: 20151123. Publication Type: Journal (0100), Peer Reviewed Journal (0110). Format Covered: Electronic. Document Type: Journal Article. Language: English. Major Descriptor: Clinical Trials; Cognitive Behavior Therapy; Tinnitus. Minor Descriptor: Intervention; Self-Efficacy. Classification: Vision & Hearing & Sensory Disorders (3299); Cognitive Therapy (3311). Population: Human (10). Tests & Measures: Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire; Tinnitus Handicap Inventory; Patient Health Questionnaire-German Version; Mini-Tinnitus Questionnaire; Tinnitus Questionnaire DOI: 10.1037/t22242-000; Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales DOI: 10.1037/t39835-000; Beck Depression Inventory DOI: 10.1037/t00741-000; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale DOI: 10.1037/t03589-000. Methodology: Literature Review; Systematic Review; Meta Analysis. References Available: Y. Page Count: 11. Issue Publication Date: Jun, 2013. Publication History: Accepted Date: May 2, 2013; First Submitted Date: Nov 14, 2012. Copyright Statement: Swedish Association for Behaviour Therapy. 2013.