Continuous Improvement of Chronic Tinnitus Through a 9-Month Smartphone-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:...

Area of Science:

• * Clinical Psychology
• * Digital Health
• * Otolaryngology

Background:

• * Tinnitus, the perception of sound without external stimuli, significantly impacts patient well-being.
• * Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a recommended treatment for tinnitus, effectively reducing associated distress and anxiety.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To investigate the efficacy and outcomes of a 9-month smartphone-based CBT intervention for patients experiencing chronic tinnitus.
• * To assess the impact of app-based CBT on tinnitus-related distress, anxiety, and self-efficacy.

Main Methods:

• * A randomized controlled trial involving 187 patients with chronic tinnitus over a 9-month period.
• * Utilized a waiting list design for the initial 3 months, followed by collective analysis of both groups.
• * Assessed endpoints using the Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Self-Efficacy, Optimism, Pessimism (SWOP-K9), and Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ-20) at 3 and 9 months.

Main Results:

• * Statistically significant reduction in tinnitus burden observed in the smartphone-based CBT group.
• * Pooled data revealed substantial decreases in TQ scores (12.49 points at 3 months, 18.48 points at 9 months; P<.001), indicating clinically important improvements.
• * Significant improvements also noted in PSQ-20 (-9.14 points), PHQ-9 (-2.47 points), and SWOP-K9 (0.17 points) scores (P<.001).

Conclusions:

• * App-based CBT demonstrates statistically significant, clinically relevant, and continuous benefits for patients with chronic tinnitus.
• * Smartphone-delivered CBT is an effective intervention for managing tinnitus symptoms and improving overall patient well-being.