Comparative Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Breathing Exercises, and Psychoeducation on Tinnitus-Related Distress: A Randomized Controlled Study
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 70
- 试验地点
- 1
研究概览
简要总结
Tinnitus is the perception of sound, such as ringing or buzzing, without any external source. It is common and can cause significant distress, including anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and reduced quality of life. Because there is currently no cure for tinnitus, treatment focuses on lowering the distress it causes and helping people cope.
This study compared three different non-drug approaches to managing tinnitus-related distress:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a structured psychological treatment that helps people change unhelpful thoughts and reactions related to their tinnitus A breathing exercise (the 4-7-8 technique), a relaxation method intended to reduce stress Psychoeducation, which provides information to help people better understand their tinnitus
Seventy adults with subjective tinnitus, aged 18 to 65, were randomly assigned to one of these three groups. Participants in each group received their assigned approach over a period of several weeks. The main goal was to see how much each approach reduced the impact of tinnitus on daily life, measured with a standard questionnaire called the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. The study also looked at changes in anxiety and depression. Participants were assessed before treatment, after treatment, and again at 1 month and 6 months.
The purpose of this study was to better understand which of these approaches may be most helpful for reducing tinnitus-related distress.
详细描述
Tinnitus is a heterogeneous condition with multifactorial pathophysiology involving both auditory and non-auditory networks. Because no curative treatment exists, management focuses on reducing tinnitus-related distress and improving quality of life. Psychological and behavioral interventions have shown promise, but direct comparisons between approaches are limited.
This exploratory randomized controlled study compared three non-pharmacological interventions: cognitive behavioral therapy, the 4-7-8 breathing technique, and psychoeducation. Participants were assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio using a computer-generated randomization sequence. The sequence was generated before enrollment, and group assignment was withheld until after baseline assessments were completed.
The investigators hypothesized that cognitive behavioral therapy would produce the greatest improvement in tinnitus-related outcomes, followed by the 4-7-8 breathing technique, with psychoeducation producing the least improvement. Intervention intensity differed across groups, and this contact-time imbalance was considered when interpreting the findings.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 65 Years（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Age between 18 and 65 years
- •Diagnosis of subjective tinnitus
- •Ability to read and complete questionnaires
- •Voluntary participation
排除标准
- •Delirium, dementia, intellectual disability, or other organic mental disorders
- •Current psychiatric disorder according to DSM-5 criteria
- •History of alcohol or substance use disorder
- •Illiteracy
- •Abnormal otoscopic findings
- •History of otologic surgery
- •Otologic or vestibular disorders (e.g., otosclerosis, Meniere's disease)
- •Use of hearing aids
- •History of hearing loss
- •Respiratory diseases requiring ongoing treatment
研究组 & 干预措施
4-7-8 Breathing Exercise
Participants practiced the 4-7-8 breathing technique twice daily for 7 weeks, following a standardized video protocol. This relaxation-based technique is intended to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and promote relaxation to reduce tinnitus-related distress.
干预措施: 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise (Other)
Psychoeducation
Participants received a single psychoeducation session providing information about tinnitus to improve understanding and coping, and to reduce uncertainty and anxiety. This arm served as the comparison condition.
干预措施: Psychoeducation (Other)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Participants attended seven weekly group sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy, each lasting 90 minutes, with 5 to 7 participants per group. Sessions included psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, attention control, and behavioral techniques aimed at reducing tinnitus-related distress. All sessions were led by the same trained therapist to ensure consistency.
干预措施: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (Other)