Effect of educational counseling alone on people with tinnitus: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Objective: To review and meta-analyze the efficacy of educational counseling alone in tinnitus.

Methods: We collected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) adhered to PRISMA guidelines. Analyzed the effect of educational counseling alone versus other forms of therapy (psychological or combination) with RevMan 5.3.

Results: In nine trials, 582 patients receiving educational counseling alone and 759 patients receiving other psychological or combination therapies. During the 3-6 months follow-up, there was no significant difference in the tinnitus recovery rate between these two groups (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.34-1.16, P = 0.14; I² = 71%, P = 0.00, random-effects model). The tinnitus symptom severity rates were also similar during 1-12 months follow-up (mean difference, 3.59, 95% CI -0.56-7.74, P = 0.09) with heterogeneity among studies (I² = 74%, P = 0.00; random-effects model). Sensitivity analysis indicated that a single trial containing almost 40% of the patients was the cause of heterogeneity. There was no significant change in tinnitus loudness at the 3 months follow-up (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.42-1.66, P = 0.61), with no significant heterogeneity (I² = 0%, P = 0.60).

Conclusion: Educational counseling alone helps to improve tinnitus and related problems, and has the same effect as other psychological or combination therapies.

Practice implications: The results of the current analysis may help to develop evidence-based cost-effective treatment(s) for tinnitus, which will be minimally burdensome for the patients.

Keywords: Counseling; Education; Psychotherapy; Review; Tinnitus.