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CBT, Breathing Exercises, and Psychoeducation on Tinnitus-Related Distress
Sponsor: Ege University
Summary
Tinnitus is the perception of sound, such as ringing or buzzing, without any external source. It is common and can cause significant distress, including anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and reduced quality of life. Because there is currently no cure for tinnitus, treatment focuses on lowering the distress it causes and helping people cope. This study compared three different non-drug approaches to managing tinnitus-related distress: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a structured psychological treatment that helps people change unhelpful thoughts and reactions related to their tinnitus A breathing exercise (the 4-7-8 technique), a relaxation method intended to reduce stress Psychoeducation, which provides information to help people better understand their tinnitus Seventy adults with subjective tinnitus, aged 18 to 65, were randomly assigned to one of these three groups. Participants in each group received their assigned approach over a period of several weeks. The main goal was to see how much each approach reduced the impact of tinnitus on daily life, measured with a standard questionnaire called the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. The study also looked at changes in anxiety and depression. Participants were assessed before treatment, after treatment, and again at 1 month and 6 months. The purpose of this study was to better understand which of these approaches may be most helpful for reducing tinnitus-related distress.
Official title: Comparative Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Breathing Exercises, and Psychoeducation on Tinnitus-Related Distress: A Randomized Controlled Study
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
70
Start Date
2025-06-01
Completion Date
2026-05-01
Last Updated
2026-06-08
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Seven weekly group sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy, each lasting 90 minutes (5 to 7 participants per group), delivered by the same trained therapist. Sessions included psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, attention control, and behavioral techniques targeting tinnitus-related distress.
4-7-8 Breathing Exercise
The 4-7-8 breathing technique practiced twice daily for 7 weeks following a standardized video protocol, intended to promote relaxation through parasympathetic activation.
Psychoeducation
A single psychoeducation session providing information about tinnitus to improve understanding and coping and to reduce uncertainty and anxiety.
Locations (1)
Ankara Etlik City Hospital
Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)