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Mindfulness Based Tinnitus Stress Reduction Pilot Study

A Symptom Perception-Shift Program

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Abstract

This pilot study aims to investigate whether a novel mind–body intervention, Mindfulness Based Tinnitus Stress Reduction (MBTSR), may be a beneficial treatment for chronic tinnitus. Eight tinnitus patients who had previously received Tinnitus Counseling (standard of care) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Audiology Clinic participated in the MBTSR program. The program included 8 weeks of group instruction on mindfulness practice, a 1-day retreat, supplementary readings, and home-based practice using meditation CDs. Using a pre–post intervention design, mean differences (paired t-tests) were calculated. Benefits were measured by a reduction in clinical symptoms, if present, and a tinnitus symptom perception shift. Tinnitus symptom activity and discomfort as well as psychological outcomes were assessed by self-report questionnaires. Both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered. Results indicate that Effect Sizes, if supported by a larger study, may be clinically significant and demonstrate a substantial decrease for items measuring perceived annoyance and perception of handicap of tinnitus. Change scores on study measures all moved in the hypothesized direction, with the exception of negligible change found for the Acting with Awareness (d = −0.05) factor of mindfulness. This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that an 8-week MBTSR program may be an effective intervention for treating chronic tinnitus and its comorbid symptoms, and may help reduce depression and phobic anxiety while improving social functioning and overall mental health. These promising findings warrant further investigation with a randomized controlled trial.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Doug Tilden who has generously funded this research. I would also like to thank Bob Stahl for his MBSR teacher training and supervision and Margaret Chesney, PhD, Rick Hecht, MD, and Lawrence Lustig, MD for their support throughout. Thank you to all study participants for their enthusiasm and openness to exploring new ways to heal.

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  1. Department of Otolaryngology, University of University of California, 2330 Post Street, Suite 270, San Francisco, CA, 94119, USA

    Jennifer J. Gans, Patricia O’Sullivan & Vallena Bircheff

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  1. Jennifer J. Gans
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Correspondence to Jennifer J. Gans.

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Gans, J.J., O’Sullivan, P. & Bircheff, V. Mindfulness Based Tinnitus Stress Reduction Pilot Study. Mindfulness 5, 322–333 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-012-0184-4

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