Multimodality Smartphone App Delivered Therapy for Tinnitus
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Multimodality Smartphone App Delivered Therapy for Tinnitus - A Prospective Randomised Study
IRAS ID
307486
Contact name
Ananth Vijendren
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Tinnitus is complex and poorly understood heterogeneous disorder responsible for causing a “phantom” sound in the ear in the absence of an external stimulus. It affects 20% of people. Although in the majority of cases there is no cure, more effective treatment options include tinnitus retraining and sound therapy or cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). However, waiting lists on the national health service (NHS) are long and this can be expensive to source privately. In a climate where technology is mainstream and integral to our lives, smartphone apps focusing on delivering the above treatment options may be a solution.
This study aims to evaluative the clinical effectiveness of the Oto smartphone app as an adjunct or alternative to the current standard of care provided on the NHS.
The Oto smartphone app allows self-administered multi-modality therapy including education, CBT, mindfulness, relaxation and sound therapy. This prospective study will recruit adults from three centres aged 18+, who suffer from primary tinnitus and have a willingness to use as well as have access to a smartphone device capable of running Oto. Participation will be on an opt-in basis as an adjunct or alternative to the current standard of care in the NHS. Tinnitus functional inventory (TFI) scores via questionnaire will record the intrusiveness of tinnitus and this will be measured at the start, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months in.
Once the data has been collected, it will be analysed to:
1) Establish a potentially improved pathway or managing patients attending ENT outpatient clinics with primary tinnitus
2) Ascertain whether a multimodality app offers a better way of treating tinnitus and improving these patients' quality of life.REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0896
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jan 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion