I wasn't at war with the noise: How Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy changes patient's experiences of tinnitus

Elizabeth Marks, Paula Smith, Laurence McKenna

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Abstract

Objectives: Intrusive tinnitus is a challenging, life-changing experience for which traditional medical treatment does not yet have a cure. However, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for tinnitus (MBCT-t) is effective in reducing tinnitus-related distress, disability and intrusiveness. It is a priority to understand patients’ experience of MBCT-t and active processes which they regarded as underpinning the changes they experienced. Semi-structured interviews were conducted 6 months after participants had completed MBCT as part of a randomized controlled trial (RCT), with a focus on exploring their experiences of the course, what they felt had changed and how they felt such changes had occurred. Methods: Nine participants took part and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze the interview transcripts. Results: Four overarching themes emerged: (1) Relating to Tinnitus in a New Way, (2) Holistic Benefits, (3) Connection, Kindness and Compassion, and (4) Factors Supporting Engagement and Change. Conclusion: All participants reported benefits from MBCT-t, based on a radically new relationship with tinnitus. It was no longer characterized by “fighting it” and was instead based on “allowing” tinnitus to be present. Changes were supported by the development of open, stable, present-moment awareness and attitudes of equanimity, kindness, and compassion. Practices encouraging focus on sound (including tinnitus) were challenging, but essential to learning this new way of being with tinnitus. MBCT-t had a huge range of benefits including reduced distress and enhanced wellbeing. The group nature of MBCT-t was an integral part of the therapeutic process. A number of clinical and research implications are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Article number483
JournalFrontiers in Psychology
Volume11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Apr 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We would like to thank our colleague, Florian Vogt, who has contributed to the development of MBCT-t. We are indebted to the generosity of our participants in giving their time to share their experiences of MBCT and thank them. Funding. This study took place within a larger Randomized Controlled Trial that was funded by the British Tinnitus Association, which enabled us to recruit and interview participants. The remainder of the study was unfunded. This work was supported by the University of Bath, University College London Hospitals and the British Tinnitus Association.

Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright © 2020 Marks, Smith and McKenna.

Keywords

  • IPA
  • MBCT
  • mindfulness
  • mindfulness based cognitive therapy
  • tinnitus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology

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