A multiple-baseline evaluation of the treatment of subjective tinnitus with relaxation training and biofeedback

Six subjects with subjective tinnitus received training in relaxation techniques and EMG and thermal biofeedback in a multiple-baseline across-subjects design. Daily tinnitus disturbance and sleep disturbance diaries were kept throughout. Audiological and psychological evaluations were made at various treatment phases. At posttreatment assessment, subjects also completed global ratings of their perceived improvement in ability to cope with the tinnitus, stress caused by the tinnitus, and severity of the tinnitus, as well as their overall satisfaction with the treatment. Ratings on the global scales were generally very positive. By way of contrast, the daily diary results revealed little if any treatment effect. The implications of these disparate results are discussed.