Effectiveness of tinnitus retraining therapy in alleviating tinnitus symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

Objective: This study systematically evaluated and analysed existing evidence regarding the effectiveness of tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) in treating tinnitus at different follow-up periods and the factors that influence the choice of treatment.

Databases reviewed: Medline, OpenAIRE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Scopus, Springer Nature Journals, Science Citation Index Expanded, and PubMed.

Methods: Data were collected from multiple sources. Studies on adults with tinnitus, experiencing stable, bothersome, and chronic symptoms were included. Participants with significant comorbid conditions potentially influencing TRT outcomes and traumatic injuries were excluded.

Results and discussion: A total of 18 articles were included in the qualitative assessment. The studies included encompassed various geographical locations and study settings, with a total of 1712 participants, of whom 1011 underwent TRT and 701 were in the comparison group who were receiving alternative treatments. Gender distribution among participants revealed 1097 males and 596 females. The analysis consistently demonstrated improvements in tinnitus severity and quality of life following TRT, as assessed by Tinnitus Handicap Index, Tinnitus Questionnaire, and Visual Analogue Scale. The meta-analysis revealed significant heterogeneity among studies; however, sensitivity analyses demonstrated consistent results. Additionally, publication bias assessment indicated no systematic bias in effect sizes across studies.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that TRT holds promise as an effective intervention for managing tinnitus. Further well-designed randomised controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings and advance our understanding of TRT's efficacy in treating tinnitus.