The effects of acceptance versus thought suppression for dealing with the intrusiveness of tinnitus

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of acceptance versus suppression of disruptions on a mental imagery task in a sample of tinnitus patients. Previous research has indicated that acceptance can be an effective strategy for dealing with unpleasant experiences such as pain and anxiety. The study used a between-group design, including 47 participants who completed a task involving mental imagery in a sound-proof booth. Participants were randomly assigned to three instruction conditions: acceptance, suppression, or a control condition. The results showed a significant difference between the acceptance group and the control group in that participants in the acceptance group were able to focus on the imagery task for a longer time without being interrupted. The study provides preliminary support for the notion that acceptance can be a helpful strategy for tinnitus patients.