Psychophysiologic treatment of chronic tinnitus: A randomized clinical trial

Background: Tinnitus seems to be associated with psychophysiological over-activation (e.g., of head and shoulder muscles). Therefore we aimed to develop and evaluate a new intervention program including a psychophysiological approach. Methods: Forty-three tinnitus sufferers were randomized to 2 groups, one receiving a psychophysiologically oriented intervention lasting 7 intervention sessions (plus 2 assessment sessions), whereas the other group waited for a comparable time period. After-ward, patients on the waiting list also received the intervention. Physiological variables were muscle activity of head and shoulders and electrodermal activity. Psychological assessments took place at pretreatment, post-treatment, and 6 months later. Follow-up data were available from 95% of participants. Major outcome variables were self-rating scales (e.g., tinnitus annoyance assessed by the Tinnitus Questionnaire), and diary data (self-control, daily time of perceiving the tinnitus). Results: On most tinnitus specific variables, patients in the treatment group improved significantly more than patients on the waiting list. Main effect sizes for tinnitus-specific variables were up to 0.89. Muscle reactivity of head muscles at the beginning predicted significant treatment effects. Conclusion: Compared with meta-analytical reviews of psychological interventions for tinnitus sufferers, the presented treatment is brief and in the upper range of effectiveness.