Effect of educational counseling alone on people with tinnitus: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

To review and meta-analyze the efficacy of educational counseling alone in tinnitus.

We collected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) adhered to PRISMA guidelines. Analyzed the effect of educational counseling alone versus other forms of therapy (psychological or combination) with RevMan 5.3.

In nine trials, 582 patients receiving educational counseling alone and 759 patients receiving other psychological or combination therapies. During the 3-6 months follow-up, there was no significant difference in the tinnitus recovery rate between these two groups (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.34-1.16, P = 0.14; I² = 71%, P = 0.00, random-effects model). The tinnitus symptom severity rates were also similar during 1-12 months follow-up (mean difference, 3.59, 95% CI -0.56-7.74, P = 0.09) with heterogeneity among studies (I² = 74%, P = 0.00; random-effects model). Sensitivity analysis indicated that a single trial containing almost 40% of the patients was the cause of heterogeneity. There was no significant change in tinnitus loudness at the 3 months follow-up (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.42-1.66, P = 0.61), with no significant heterogeneity (I² = 0%, P = 0.60).

Educational counseling alone helps to improve tinnitus and related problems, and has the same effect as other psychological or combination therapies.

The results of the current analysis may help to develop evidence-based cost-effective treatment(s) for tinnitus, which will be minimally burdensome for the patients.