Clinical efficacy of tinnitus retraining therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of subjective tinnitus: a systematic review

R Grewal, P M Spielmann, S E M Jones, S. S.M. Hussain

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    41 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Objective: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of two frequently employed interventions for the management of tinnitus: tinnitus retraining therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. Method: A systematic review of literature published up to and including February 2013 was performed. Only randomised control trials and studies involving only human participants were included. Results: Nine high-quality studies evaluating the efficacy of tinnitus retraining therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy were identified. Of these, eight assessed cognitive behavioural therapy relative to a no-treatment control and one compared tinnitus retraining therapy to tinnitus masking therapy. Each study used a variety of standardised and validated questionnaires. Outcome measures were heterogeneous, but both therapies resulted in significant improvements in quality of life scores. Depression scores improved with cognitive behavioural therapy. Conclusion: Both cognitive behavioural therapy and tinnitus retraining therapy are effective for tinnitus, with neither therapy being demonstrably superior. Further research using standardised, validated questionnaires is needed so that objective comparisons can be made.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1028-1033
    Number of pages6
    JournalJournal of Laryngology and Otology
    Volume128
    Issue number12
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 24 Nov 2014

    Keywords

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    • Therapy
    • Tinnitus

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Otorhinolaryngology

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