Long-term clinical trial of tinnitus retraining therapy.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To demonstrate the efficacy of tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) for tinnitus relief compared to a waiting list group and a partially treated group (patients that refused prosthesis adaptation).

STUDY DESIGN:

Prospective non-randomised clinical assay (n = 158). Visual analogue scale (VAS) for intensity and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) were evaluated at 12-month period.

RESULTS:

Eighty two percent of the patients that followed TRT improved their tinnitus according to their self-evaluation. THI score was reduced from 48% to 32% and VAS decreased from 6.6 to 5.3 after one year (p < 0.05). TRT patients showed a higher improvement on their tinnitus, THI and VAS scores when compared with the waiting list patients and with patients that refused prosthesis adaptation when recommended (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

TRT improved tinnitus in 82% of the subjects and statistically reduced THI and VAS scores after 12 months. TRT has shown to be more effective than a waiting list group and partially treated patients.

EBM RATING:

B-2.

• Authors: Carlos Herraiz, F Javier Hernandez, Guillermo Plaza, Gonzalo de los Santos
• Journal: Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg) Vol. 133 Issue 5 Pg. 774-9 (Nov 2005) ISSN: 0194-5998 [Print] England
• PMID: 16274808 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Audiometry (methods)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Otolaryngology (instrumentation, methods)
• Patient Compliance
• Probability
• Prospective Studies
• Prosthesis Implantation
• Risk Assessment
• Severity of Illness Index
• Time Factors
• Tinnitus (diagnosis, therapy)
• Treatment Outcome
• Treatment Refusal