CBT-based Internet Intervention for Adults With Tinnitus in the United States

Nearly 50 million people in the U.S. experience tinnitus, of which about 20 million people have burdensome chronic tinnitus. Tinnitus can be very debilitating as many aspects of daily life can be affected, such as sleep, mood, and concentration. Currently, there is no cure for tinnitus. Pharmacological or sound-therapy based interventions are sometimes provided, but may be of limited value to certain individuals. Research suggests that Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) based approaches have the most evidence of effectiveness in the management of tinnitus. However, CBT is rarely offered in the U.S. (less than 1%), partly attributed to a lack of trained professionals who can deliver CBT. To improve access to CBT for tinnitus, and online CBT program has been developed. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a CBT Internet-based intervention for adults with tinnitus in the United States.

Objective: This study aims to determine the feasibility and efficacy of an Internet-based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (ICBT) in reducing the impact associated with tinnitus in the United States.

Hypothesis: It is hypothesized that ICBT will result in reduced tinnitus-related distress, decreased sleep disturbance, decreased anxiety and depression, and improved health-related quality of life in a treatment group as compared with adults in the weekly check-in control-group in the U.S. population. The investigators also hypothesize that these results will be stable in both short- and long-term post-intervention.

Design: A two-armed Randomized Control Trial (RCT), with a one-year follow-up design will be used to evaluate the efficacy of ICBT on tinnitus distress.

Setting: This will be an Internet-based study for adults with tinnitus living in the State of Texas, USA.

Participants: Eligible participants will include adults with tinnitus for a minimum period of 3 months with internet access and no major medical or psychiatric conditions. 80 participants will be recruited for each group and will be randomly assigned using a computer-generated randomization schedule by an independent research assistant after being pre-stratified for language and tinnitus severity.

Intervention: The intervention offered is a guided CTB-based internet intervention (ICBT), providing an opportunity to learn about new ways of coping with tinnitus during everyday life. It is 8-week long e-learning intervention, with new modules introduced weekly and assignments are given to practice techniques learned.

Outcome measures: The main outcome measure is the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI). Secondary outcome measures are the Tinnitus and Hearing Survey (THS), Tinnitus Cognition Questionnaire (TCQ), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and EuroQol EQ-5D-5L VAS.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. aged 18 years and older living in the State of Texas, USA;
2. the ability to read and type in English or Spanish;
3. no barriers to using a computer (e.g. no significant fine motor control or visual problems);
4. Internet and e-mail access and the ability to use it;
5. commitment to completing the program;
6. completion of the online screening and outcome questionnaires;
7. agreeing to participate in either group and be randomized to one of these groups;
8. understanding and working towards the end goal of reducing the impact and distress of tinnitus, although the strength of the tinnitus may remain the same;
9. be available for 12 months after starting the study to complete a 1-year follow-up questionnaire;
10. suffering with experiencing tinnitus for a minimum period of 3 months; and
11. tinnitus outcome measure scores indicating the need for tinnitus care \[25 or above on the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI)\].

Exclusion Criteria:

1. reporting any major medical or psychiatric conditions;
2. reporting pulsatile, objective or unilateral tinnitus, which has not been investigated medically;
3. tinnitus as a consequence of a medical disorder, still under investigation; and
4. undergoing any other tinnitus therapy while participating in this study.