Comparison of MBCT, relaxation and waiting list in tinnitus management
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A comparison (C) of the benefits of mindfulness based cognitive therapy, relaxation therapy and a waiting list control (I) in the management of distress (O) in chronic tinnitus patients (P).
IRAS ID
115562
Contact name
Laurence McKenna
Contact email
Research summary
The aim is to investigate the effectiveness of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in relieving tinnitus related distress.
MBCT involves teaching meditation techniques, usually in a group format, over a course of eight weeks. The meditation involves paying careful attention to one’s physical, emotional and cognitive experiences. The approach has been used in a variety of clinical settings, e.g. depression, chronic pain, etc. The results have been positive with patients reporting less distress and greater wellbeing. MBCT is now recommended within the NICE guidelines for the management of depression.
To date there has been only one controlled trial using MBCT in the care of tinnitus patients. The findings suggest that MBCT is effective in relieving tinnitus distress. However, the study did not use a validated tinnitus questionnaire to measure treatment outcome, and the group size was too small to assess differences between the MBCT and the relaxation group. The findings of this study need to be replicated with a larger group size and using the MBCT approach that is conventionally used in the UK.
Experience of using MBCT in our own clinic also leads us to believe that it produces significant reductions in distress. This impression, however, is based only on clinical audit and we now need to test MBCT in a controlled trial.
This proposed controlled trial involves two groups of chronic tinnitus patients recruited from our NHS clinic. Subjects will be assessed within a 2-week period and will then enter an 8 week ‘waiting’ stage of the trial. After that, they will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group 1 will be treated using an 8 week course of MBCT. Group 2 will be treated using an 8 week course of relaxation training. After 8 weeks waiting they will be re-assessed and treatment will begin. Subjects will be reassessed at the end of treatment and at 1 and 6 month follow ups. This method avoids the ethical dilemma of depriving some subjects of a treatment that may help them. Subjects will be assessed using standardised questionnaires of tinnitus complaint and of psychological well-being.REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/0495
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jun 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion