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The Effect of 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise Technique on Tinnitus

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Tinnitus, Subjective
Interventions
Other: 4-7-8 breathing exercise technique and informative session on tinnitus
Other: Informative session on tinnitus
Registration Number
NCT06360731
Lead Sponsor
Ege University
Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of 4-7-8 breathing exercise on tinnitus handicap, psychological factors and sleep quality.

There will be a parallel-group randomized controlled trial study and consists of two groups.

Both groups will receive 1 hour of informative session on tinnitus and the experimental group will also perform 4-7-8 breathing exercises for 6 weeks. Visual analog scale, tinnitus handicap inventory, insomnia severity index, trait anxiety inventory, and perceived stress scale will be applied before and after the application.

Detailed Description

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of 4-7-8 breathing exercise technique on tinnitus handicap, psychological factors and sleep quality. It is also aimed to compare the results of the experimental group and those who received only 1 hour of informative session on tinnitus (Control group).

The study will employ a parallel-group randomized controlled trial design. Both groups will receive 1 hour of informative session on tinnitus and the experimental group will also perform 4-7-8 breathing exercises for 6 weeks.

Visual analog scale, tinnitus handicap inventory, insomnia severity index, trait anxiety inventory,and perceived stress scale will be applied to all patients before and after the application.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
48
Inclusion Criteria
  • Aged between 18-65 years with subjective idiopathic tinnitus complaints for at least six months
  • Must be able to speak and read Turkish
  • Must be able to answer the questionnaire questions and perform the 4-7-8 breathing exercises regularly
Exclusion Criteria
  • Any neuro-otologic, psychiatric, neurologic, or cognitive problems, objective tinnitus, chronic medication use, asthma diagnosis or respiratory distress
  • Receivement of any tinnitus treatment or tinnitus informative session actively

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Experimental Group4-7-8 breathing exercise technique and informative session on tinnitusExperimental group who consists of subjective tinnitus patients will receive 1 hour of informative session on tinnitus and also perform 4-7-8 breathing exercises for 6 weeks
Control GroupInformative session on tinnitusControl group who consists of subjective tinnitus patients will receive 1 hour of informative session on tinnitus only
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Trait Anxiety Scale (TAS)Six weeks after baseline evaluation

The trait anxiety subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to assess the level of anxiety in those with tinnitus. The TAS is a 4-point Likert-type scale consisting of twenty items that aims to determine how the individual feels regardless of the situation and conditions in which they find themselves. A score between 20 and 80 is obtained from this scale. Higher scores indicate higher level of anxiety. A score between 20 and 80 is obtained from this scale. All patients will be assessed six weeks after baseline evaluation.

Visual Analog Scale (VAS)Six weeks after baseline evaluation

Patients will be asked to assess the degree of distress and annoyance associated with their tinnitus, as well as its severity, using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) from 0 to 10 both before and after the application. An increase in these areas is shown by an increase in the score. Minimum score value is 0 and maximum value is 10. All patients will be assessed six weeks after baseline evaluation.

Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI)Six weeks after baseline evaluation

The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) assesses the catastrophic, emotional, and functional impacts of tinnitus and measures its effects on patients' daily functioning. The THI consists of 25 items. In the inventory, there are 25 items consisting of three options as 'yes', 'no', and 'sometimes'. A 'yes' answer is worth 4 points and a 'no' answer is worth 0 points. A maximum score of 100 points can be obtained from the THI. The higher the score, the greater the perception of the tinnitus as a handicap. Minimum score value is 0 and maximum value is 100. All patients will be assessed six weeks after baseline evaluation.

Insomnia severity index (ISI)Six weeks after baseline evaluation

Sleep quality of the patients was assessed with the insomnia severity index (ISI). It is a questionnaire that evaluates the difficulties experienced in transitioning to and maintaining sleep, the level of stress caused by sleep problems, and impairments in daily functions, and thus determines the level of insomnia. It consists of 7 questions in total. Higher score indicates more insomnia symptoms. Minimum score value is 0 and maximum value is 28. All patients will be assessed six weeks after baseline evaluation.

Perceived stress scale -10 (PSS-10)Six weeks after baseline evaluation

The Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) will be administered to assess the stress perceived by tinnitus patients. It was developed to measure the extent to which situations in one's life are considered stressful. It consists of 10 questions. The scores of PSS-10 vary between 0 and 40. Greater perceived stress is indicated by higher scores. The scores of PSS-10 vary between 0 and 40. All patients will be assessed six weeks after baseline evaluation.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Gokce Saygi Uysal

🇹🇷

Ankara, Turkey

Audiology Unit of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine Hospital

🇹🇷

Izmir, Turkey

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