Annick Gilles1,2,3, Laure Jacquemin4,5, Emilie Cardon4,5, Olivier M Vanderveken4,5, Iris Joossen5, Hanne Vermeersch5, Stefanie Vanhecke5, Kaat Van den Brande5, Sarah Michiels4,5,6, Paul Van de Heyning4,5, Vincent Van Rompaey4,5. 1. Department Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium. annick.gilles@uza.be. 2. University Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Edegem, Belgium. annick.gilles@uza.be. 3. Department of Education, Health and Social Work, University College Ghent, Ghent, Belgium. annick.gilles@uza.be. 4. Department Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium. 5. University Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Edegem, Belgium. 6. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of a single psycho-educational session on tinnitus burden in chronic tinnitus patients. The session is organized at a tertiary referral center for otologic disorders at the University Hospital Antwerp as a group session (maximum of 10-15 patients a time) lasting for approximately 3-4 h. The session focusses on different aspects of tinnitus. METHODS: The current manuscript reports on 96 patients who completed the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), Visual Analogue Scale for mean loudness (VAS), Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) prior to treatment and at 6-month follow-up. The TFI was chosen as the primary outcome. Paired-samples T tests were performed to evaluate therapy effect at 6-month follow-up. In addition, a logistic regression model revealed baseline TFI/VAS scores and duration of tinnitus as contributing factors to a significant decrease of the TFI. RESULTS: The TFI total score showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) at the 6-month follow-up time point. At follow-up, 75% of patients reported their tinnitus to be under control not requiring any additional treatment. The logistic regression model showed that patients with higher baseline TFI scores, lower baseline mean VAS loudness ratings, and shorter tinnitus duration were more likely to show clinically significant improvement on the TFI scale. CONCLUSIONS: Tinnitus Retraining Therapy or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy are effective, though very time-consuming and expensive treatments. A single psycho-educational group session was shown to be highly effective in decreasing the tinnitus burden, which increases feasibility and cost-effectiveness. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable as this is a retrospective reporting of tinnitus outcome in the daily clinical practice, not a clinical trial.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of a single psycho-educational session on tinnitus burden in chronic tinnitus patients. The session is organized at a tertiary referral center for otologic disorders at the University Hospital Antwerp as a group session (maximum of 10-15 patients a time) lasting for approximately 3-4 h. The session focusses on different aspects of tinnitus. METHODS: The current manuscript reports on 96 patients who completed the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), Visual Analogue Scale for mean loudness (VAS), Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) prior to treatment and at 6-month follow-up. The TFI was chosen as the primary outcome. Paired-samples T tests were performed to evaluate therapy effect at 6-month follow-up. In addition, a logistic regression model revealed baseline TFI/VAS scores and duration of tinnitus as contributing factors to a significant decrease of the TFI. RESULTS: The TFI total score showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) at the 6-month follow-up time point. At follow-up, 75% of patients reported their tinnitus to be under control not requiring any additional treatment. The logistic regression model showed that patients with higher baseline TFI scores, lower baseline mean VAS loudness ratings, and shorter tinnitus duration were more likely to show clinically significant improvement on the TFI scale. CONCLUSIONS: Tinnitus Retraining Therapy or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy are effective, though very time-consuming and expensive treatments. A single psycho-educational group session was shown to be highly effective in decreasing the tinnitus burden, which increases feasibility and cost-effectiveness. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable as this is a retrospective reporting of tinnitus outcome in the daily clinical practice, not a clinical trial.
Authors: Sarah Michiels; Tanit Ganz Sanchez; Yahav Oron; Annick Gilles; Haúla F Haider; Soly Erlandsson; Karl Bechter; Veronika Vielsmeier; Eberhard Biesinger; Eui-Cheol Nam; Jeanne Oiticica; Ítalo Roberto T de Medeiros; Carina Bezerra Rocha; Berthold Langguth; Paul Van de Heyning; Willem De Hertogh; Deborah A Hall Journal: Trends Hear Date: 2018 Jan-Dec Impact factor: 3.293