Internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy for tinnitus: secondary analysis to examine predictors of outcomes

Authors

Hansapani Rodrigo, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Eldré W. Beukes
Gerhard Andersson
Vinaya Manchaiah

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2021

Abstract

Objectives The current study examined predictors of outcomes of internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy (ICBT) for individuals with tinnitus.

Design Secondary analysis of intervention studies.

Setting Internet-based guided tinnitus intervention provided in the UK.

Participants 228 individuals who underwent ICBT.

Interventions ICBT.

Primary and secondary outcome measures The key predictor variables included demographic, tinnitus, hearing-related and treatment-related variables as well as clinical factors (eg, anxiety, depression, insomnia), which can have an impact on the treatment outcome. A 13-point reduction in Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) scores has been defined as a successful outcome.

Results Of the 228 subjects who were included in the study, 65% had a successful ICBT outcome. As per the univariate analysis, participants with a master’s degree or above had the highest odds of having a larger reduction in tinnitus severity (OR 3.47; 95% CI 1.32 to 12.51), compared with the participants who had education only up to high school or less. Additionally, the baseline tinnitus severity was found to be a significant variable (OR 2.65; 95% CI 1.50 to 4.67) contributing to a successful outcome with the intervention. Both linear and logistic regression models have identified education level and baseline tinnitus severity to be significant predictor variables contributing to a reduction in tinnitus severity post-ICBT. As per the linear regression model, participants who had received disability allowance had shown a 25.3-point lower TFI reduction compared with those who did not experience a decrease in their workload due to tinnitus after adjusting for baseline tinnitus severity and their education level.

Conclusions Predictors of intervention outcome can be used as a means of triaging patients to the most suited form of treatment to achieve optimal outcomes and to make healthcare savings. Future studies should consider including a heterogeneous group of participants as well as other predictor variables not included in the current study.

ClinicalTrial.gov Registration: NCT02370810 (completed); NCT02665975 (completed)

Comments

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ

Recommended Citation

Rodrigo H, Beukes EW, Andersson G, et al. Internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy for tinnitus: secondary analysis to examine predictors of outcomes. BMJ Open 2021;11:e049384. doi:10.1136/ bmjopen-2021-049384

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Publication Title

BMJ Open

DOI

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049384