Mindfulness-based Therapy in Chronic Tinnitus

In the present randomized waiting-list-controlled study the investigators examined a specific manualized mindfulness-based therapeutic approach in the treatment of chronic tinnitus.

In the current randomized waiting-list-controlled pilot study, we investigate a new manualized therapeutic approach, which is based on mindfulness- and body-psychotherapy and which has been specifically developed for the treatment of tinnitus patients (Tinnitus Atemtherapie; http://www.maria-holl.de/). Essential components of the treatment program include mindfulness, meditation, selfmassage, and breathing exercises. These components are intended to help patients use their inner resources to accept responsibility for themselves, become more self-sufficient and develop symptom acceptance.

Treatment was performed as group therapy at two training weekends which were separated by an interval of 7 weeks (eleven hours/weekend) and in four further two-hour sessions (week 2, 9, 18 and 22).

Treatment was performed as group therapy at two training weekends which were separated by an interval of 7 weeks (eleven hours/weekend) and in four further two-hour sessions (week 2, 9, 18 and 22).

Change in tinnitus complaints as measured by the German version of the Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ)(Baseline versus week 9)

Change in rating scores of German versions of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (Hallam) (Baseline versus week 7)

Change in rating scores of German versions of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (Hallam) (Baseline versus week 9)

Change in rating scores of German versions of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (Hallam) (Baseline versus week 24)

Change in rating scores of German version of the tinnitus questionnaire (Goebel/Hiller) (Baseline versus week 7)

Change in rating scores of German version of the tinnitus questionnaire (Goebel/Hiller) (Baseline versus week 9)

Change in rating scores of German version of the tinnitus questionnaire (Goebel/Hiller) (Baseline versus week 24)

Change in rating scores of German version of the tinnitus numeric rating scales (loudness, discomfort, annoyance, distractibility, unpleasantness) (Baseline versus week 7)

Change in rating scores of German version of the tinnitus numeric rating scales (loudness, discomfort, annoyance, distractibility, unpleasantness) (Baseline versus week 9)

Change in rating scores of German version of the tinnitus numeric rating scales (loudness, discomfort, annoyance, distractibility, unpleasantness) (Baseline versus week 24)

Inclusion Criteria: Chronic tinnitus (duration ≥ 6 months) German speaking Subjective tinnitus Exclusion Criteria: Instable medical conditions Objective tinnitus

Goebel G, Hiller W. [The tinnitus questionnaire. A standard instrument for grading the degree of tinnitus. Results of a multicenter study with the tinnitus questionnaire]. HNO. 1994 Mar;42(3):166-72. German.

Kreuzer PM, Goetz M, Holl M, Schecklmann M, Landgrebe M, Staudinger S, Langguth B. Mindfulness-and body-psychotherapy-based group treatment of chronic tinnitus: a randomized controlled pilot study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012 Nov 28;12:235. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-235.