The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of a cognitive behavioral guided self-help training provided via the internet on tinnitus distress in a German sample.
Long waiting periods and the deficiency of outpatient therapies stimulated the development of internet-based interventions for a variety of mental disorders during the last years. A Swedish research group developed an internet-based self-help training for patients with chronic tinnitus showing promising results (Andersson et al., 2002; Kaldo et al., 2007; Kaldo et al., 2008). This self-help training was now adapted for German-speaking patients. The present study evaluates the efficacy of this treatment in a randomized controlled trial conducted in Germany. Further aims are a process evaluation of the treatment and the identification of predictors of efficacy.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
124
Internet-based guided self-help for tinnitus: provided via Internet, duration of 10 weeks
Tinnitus-specific internet discussion forum over 10 weeks (no therapeutic intervention)
Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linkoeping University
Linköping, Sweden
Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI; Newman, Jacobson, & Spitzer, 1996; German version: Kleinjung et al., 2007)
The measure assesses tinnitus-related disability and handicap.
Time frame: 18 months
MINI-Tinnitus Questionnaire (Mini-TQ; Hiller & Goebel, 2004)
The measure is a short version of the Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ, Goebel \& Hiller, 1998), to assess tinnitus-related psychological distress.
Time frame: 18 months
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D; Zigmond & Snaith, 1983; German version: Herrmann-Lingen, Buss, & Snaith, 2005)
The measure assesses depression and anxiety.
Time frame: 18 months
Insomnia Severity Index (ISI; Bastien, Vallière, & Morin, 2001; German version: Pillmann, 2004)
The measure assesses the quality of sleep (sleep duration, sleep quality and negative impact on daily functioning).
Time frame: 18 months
Tinnitus Cognitions Questionnaire (T-Cog; Hiller & Haerkötter, 2005)
The measure assesses dysfunctional beliefs and cognitions regarding the tinnitus.
Time frame: 18 months
Anxiety Sensitivity Index - 3 (ASI-3; Taylor et al., 2007; German version: Kemper, Ziegler, & Taylor, 2007)
The measure assesses the fear of anxiety-related sensations.
Time frame: 18 months
Fear Avoidance Questionnaire (FAQ; self-developed)
The measure assesses fear-avoidance beliefs and behavior.
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Time frame: 18 months
Working Alliance Inventory - Short Revised (WAI-SR; Horvath & Greenberg, 1986, 1989; German version: Wilmers et al., 2008)
The measure assesses three aspects of the therapeutic alliance (development of an affective bond, agreement on the tasks of therapy and agreement on the goals of therapy).
Time frame: 2 months
Credibility Scale (Devilly & Borkovec, 2000; self-translated and adapted to an intervention for tinnitus)
The scale assesses treatment credibility.
Time frame: 6 months
Therapy Expectancy Scale (self-developed)
The scale assesses treatment expectancy.
Time frame: baseline
Therapy Satisfaction Scale (self-developed)
The scale assesses treatment satisfaction.
Time frame: week 10
Web Screening Questionnaire for Common Mental Disorders (WSQ; Donker, van Straten, Marks, & Cuijpers, 2009; self-translated German version)
The questionnaire screens for depressive disorder, alcohol abuse/dependence, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, social phobia, panic disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Time frame: 3 months
Big Five Inventory (BFI-10; Rammstedt & John, 2007; German version: Rammstedt & John, 2007)
The measure is the short version of the Big Five Inventory (BFI; John, Donahue, \& Kentle, 1991) and assesses the five personality traits extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness.
Time frame: baseline
Process evaluation items (self-developed)
10 items assess tinnitus loudness, tinnitus annoyance, perceived control, general mood, tinnitus acceptance, social functioning, behavioral avoidance and fear of sounds as well as the use of learned methods during the last week.
Time frame: 18 months
Tinnitus Acceptance Questionnaire (TAQ; Westin, Hayes, & Andersson, 2008; self-translated)
The measure assesses psychological acceptance of the tinnitus.
Time frame: 18 months