Abstract
Introduction
Sleep disturbance affects 50-70% of chronic tinnitus patients and poor sleep may lead to grater distress. Yet there is little research into sleep management in tinnitus and few treatment studies specifically address insomnia. There is a strong evidence base that CBT for insomnia (CBTi) is an effective treatment for sleep disturbance when it presents both as a primary problem and when it is co-morbid with other physical (and mental) health problems, for example, chronic pain.
Method / techniques
Patients with chronic and distressing tinnitus and significant sleep disturbance were offered CBTi. The specifics of the CBT intervention are described, including sleep restriction, stimulus control, psychoeducation, applied relaxation, cognitive restructuring and worry management. Outcome measures included Insomnia Severity Index and sleep diaries, tinnitus distress (Tinnitus Questionnaire – TQ) and psychological distress (CORE-OM, GAD7 and PHQ9).
Results / outcome
From 20 patients completing group-delivered CBTi within routine care, results demonstrate that patients completing both group and individual treatment showed a significant improvement in sleep measures.
Discussion / conclusion
CBTi can offer real improvements for patients with chronic tinnitus and sleep disturbance. Considering the paucity of research into the management and treatment sleep problems in tinnitus, this evidence is an important addition to our understanding and treatment of insomnia in tinnitus. The authors are now undertaking a Randomized Controlled Trial for CBTi in a tinnitus population, and we will give a brief overview of this to demonstrate how we plan to further assess the efficacy of CBTi compared to existing standard interventions.
Sleep disturbance affects 50-70% of chronic tinnitus patients and poor sleep may lead to grater distress. Yet there is little research into sleep management in tinnitus and few treatment studies specifically address insomnia. There is a strong evidence base that CBT for insomnia (CBTi) is an effective treatment for sleep disturbance when it presents both as a primary problem and when it is co-morbid with other physical (and mental) health problems, for example, chronic pain.
Method / techniques
Patients with chronic and distressing tinnitus and significant sleep disturbance were offered CBTi. The specifics of the CBT intervention are described, including sleep restriction, stimulus control, psychoeducation, applied relaxation, cognitive restructuring and worry management. Outcome measures included Insomnia Severity Index and sleep diaries, tinnitus distress (Tinnitus Questionnaire – TQ) and psychological distress (CORE-OM, GAD7 and PHQ9).
Results / outcome
From 20 patients completing group-delivered CBTi within routine care, results demonstrate that patients completing both group and individual treatment showed a significant improvement in sleep measures.
Discussion / conclusion
CBTi can offer real improvements for patients with chronic tinnitus and sleep disturbance. Considering the paucity of research into the management and treatment sleep problems in tinnitus, this evidence is an important addition to our understanding and treatment of insomnia in tinnitus. The authors are now undertaking a Randomized Controlled Trial for CBTi in a tinnitus population, and we will give a brief overview of this to demonstrate how we plan to further assess the efficacy of CBTi compared to existing standard interventions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | International Tinnitus Seminar 2018 |
| Publication status | Published - 14 Mar 2018 |
