Healing From Home: Examination of an Online Mindfulness-Based Tinnitus Stress Reduction Course During the 2020 COVID Pandemic

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an Internet delivered Mindfulness Based Tinnitus Stress Reduction (i-MBTSR) program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tinnitus, often a chronic condition, is experienced by 15% of the population. For those with severe, bothersome tinnitus, quality of life is reduced and the treatment options are limited. We evaluated an approach intended to decrease tinnitus-related distress. Method: This study examined the data collected for an online i-MBTSR course using a retrospective design. The intervention included an 8-week self-paced i-MBTSR course, including didactic information about mindfulness and tinnitus, as well as meditation practices. Outcome measures included the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), which were measured at four time periods. These time points included pretreatment, midtreatment at 3 weeks, immediately posttreatment, and at 6-month follow-up. Results: Forty-three participants completed the intervention. The mean preintervention tinnitus severity rating was 59.96 (“severe tinnitus”) as measured by the TFI. Mean TFI scores dropped to 44.16 ( p < .001) at midtreatment and to 34.23 ( p = .001) at posttreatment. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of variance tests were conducted to determine changes in the two scales at the four time periods. There were significant differences in perceived stress and tinnitus self-function found in all measures and submeasures between the pre-, mid-, and posttreatment time points with the exception of the TFI Auditory subtest. These gains remained significant for those who completed the 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: The i-MBTSR course appears to be a viable and effective treatment modality. A shorter 3-week course may be effective. Case-control studies to more systematically investigate the effectiveness of i-MBTSR for tinnitus are required.