Mindfulness approach the way forward for tinnitus, says research

A mindfulness-based approach could significantly reduce the severity of tinnitus, researchers say.

Tinnitus, described as a sensation or awareness of sound that is not caused by an external sound source, affects about six million people in the UK.

Approximately one in 100 people are very distressed or disabled by tinnitus, which is associated with emotional stress, insomnia and concentration problems.

Research, funded by the British Tinnitus Association and published in two journals, has found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can make it less severe and intrusive.

The work was led by Dr Laurence McKenna, from University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Dr Liz Marks, from Bath University’s psychology department.

It found MBCT resulted in a significant reduction in the severity of tinnitus, compared with relaxation-based treatments, which are which is recommended by many clinics.

Dr Marks said: “In total 75 patients took part in the trial at UCLH’s Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, receiving either MBCT or relaxation therapy.

“The study found that both treatments led to a reduction in tinnitus severity, psychological distress, anxiety and depression but the MBCT treatment led to significantly greater reductions in tinnitus severity than the relaxation treatment, and this improvement lasted for longer.

“In addition, 182 patients who completed MBCT routinely in our clinic showed a similar level of improvement.”

MCBT, taught by clinical psychologists, teaches patients to pay purposeful, present-moment attention to experiences rather than trying to suppress them.

People learn how to “allow” and “accept” tinnitus, rather than having to “fight it” or “push it away”.