15-year prospective follow-up study of behavioral therapy in a large sample of inpatients with chronic tinnitus

Conclusion: The results of this study are in accordance with the assumption that cognitive-oriented therapy enabling the patient to live with tinnitus is of primary importance to enhance quality of life. Background and objectives: This study describes the success of an integrative behavioral-medicine inpatient treatment for complex chronic tinnitus and presents its long-term effects. In 1987 we developed and evaluated a new treatment concept of psychological treatment of complex chronic tinnitus based on international experience and results. To evaluate the influence, effects and individual results of the specific therapy we analyzed the data of 434 consecutively treated patients. To investigate the long-term effects of the treatment, we contacted the patients 15 years after discharge from the hospital. Patients and methods: We used the tinnitus questionnaire (TQ) and visual analog scales (VAS) for specific tinnitus variables (loudness, discomfort, control of tinnitus, stress, general mood). The German version of the Derogatis psychopathology checklist (SCL-90-R) was used to analyze the impact of additional symptoms (depression, anxiety, introversion, etc.). Results: Compared with a control group (patients on a waiting list) significant and clinically relevant effects were found. At the outcome, there were significant improvements in almost all parameters measured. For evaluation of the long-term effect we succeeded in contacting 312 of 434 former patients. Data were assessed using the same questionnaires that had been employed at the first contact. In all, 271 patients (86%) returned the questionnaires. Data for 244 cases (mean age 63 years; 79 females, 165 males) were complete enough to be used for data analysis. The results of the follow-up were as unexpected as clear: 15 years after conclusion of the treatment, the improvements of the tinnitus parameters and additional symptoms were stable when compared with the end of therapy.