The DOI matches its Crossref record; 51 of the 51 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of cognitive-behavioral therapy for tinnitus distress
Abstract
Tinnitus is defined as a sound in the ear(s) and/or head without external origin and is a serious health concern for millions worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine whether Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is effective in reducing distress associated with tinnitus. Randomized, controlled trials that assessed the efficacy of CBT for tinnitus-related distress in adults were identified by searching electronic databases (PsychINFO, PubMed, the Cochrane Library), and by manual searches. Fifteen studies (total of 1091 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. CBT compared with a passive and active control at post-assessment yielded statistically significant mean effect sizes for tinnitus-specific measures (Hedges's g=0.70, and Hedges's g=0.44, respectively). The average weighted pre-to-follow-up effect size for the CBT group suggested that these effects were maintained over time. Smaller but yet statistically significant effects of CBT were found for mood outcome measures. Characteristics of the studies were unrelated to effect sizes. Methodological rigor, publication bias, and a series of sensitivity analyses did not influence the findings. The results suggest that CBT is an effective treatment of tinnitus distress. However, caution is warranted given that few large-scale, well-controlled trials were identified.
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In the citing paper
“Although a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reported that CBT significantly decreased tinnitus distress (Hesser et al., 2011)”
From A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Exploring Effects of Third-Wave Psychological Therapies on Hearing-Related Distress, Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in People With Audiological Problems. (2022) · cites this paper as Hesser et al., 2011
In the citing paper
“This is followed by “A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of cognitive-behavioral therapy for tinnitus distress” (strength: 11.37, publication year: 2011) and “A Randomized Controlled Trial of Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the Treatment of Tinnitus” (strength: 10.1, publication year: 2012)”
From Research trends and hotspots of cognitive behavioral therapy for tinnitus: a bibliometric analysis (2025) · cites this paper as Hesser et al., 2011
In the citing paper
“Cognitive behavioral treatment approaches reproducibly help patients in managing chronic tinnitus.”
From Randomized controlled trial of a smartphone-based cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic tinnitus (2023) · cites this paper as [9]
In the citing paper
“Nevertheless, there is room for improvement, as a substantial number of patients continue to experience significant residual tinnitus distress after treatment[16]”
From The influence of tinnitus acceptance on the quality of life and psychological distress in patients with chronic tinnitus (2015) · cites this paper as [16]
In the citing paper
“Research evidence consistently demonstrates a superiority of clinical psychologist-delivered CBT over other treatments and waiting list control conditions for improving tinnitus-related distress, depression, and quality of life (Martinez-Devesa et al. 2010; Hesser et al. 2011; Hoare et al. 2011).”
From Psychological Therapy for People with Tinnitus: A Scoping Review of Treatment Components. (2017) · cites this paper as Hesser et al. 2011
Citations
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Tyler, R. S., & Baker, L. J. (1983) · Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders · doi:10.1044/jshd.4802.150 · Cited by 525
Cognitive behavioural therapy for tinnitus
Martinez-Devesa, P., Perera, R., Theodoulou, M., & Waddell, A. (2010) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd005233.pub3 · Cited by 477
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Baguley, D., McFerran, D., & Hall, D. (2013) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(13)60142-7 · Cited by 1,245
Tinnitus: causes and clinical management
Langguth, B., Kreuzer, P. M., Kleinjung, T., & Ridder, D. D. (2013) · The Lancet Neurology · doi:10.1016/s1474-4422(13)70160-1 · Cited by 807
Clinical practice guideline: tinnitus
Tunkel, D. E., Bauer, C. A., Sun, G. H., Rosenfeld, R. M., Chandrasekhar, S. S., Cunningham, E. R., Archer, S. M., Blakley, B. W., Carter, J. M., Granieri, E. C., et al. (2014) · Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery · doi:10.1177/0194599814545325 · Cited by 769
“Hesser et al 166 reviewed 15 studies and found sustained benefits of CBT on tinnitus-specific outcome measures and smaller benefits for mood outcomes.”
Prevalence, Severity, Exposures, and Treatment Patterns of Tinnitus in the United States
Bhatt, J. M., Lin, H. W., & Bhattacharyya, N. (2016) · JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery · doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2016.1700 · Cited by 460
A multidisciplinary European guideline for tinnitus: diagnostics, assessment, and treatment
Cima, R. F. F., Mazurek, B., Haider, H., Kikidis, D., Lapira, A., Noreña, A., & Hoare, D. J. (2019) · HNO · doi:10.1007/s00106-019-0633-7 · Cited by 442
Metadata
- Authors
- Hesser, H., Weise, C., Westin, V. Z., & Andersson, G.
- Affiliations
- Linköping University (SE)
- Corresponding author
- Hesser, Hugo
- Venue
- Clinical Psychology Review
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011-06
- Volume
- 31
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 545-553
- ISSN
- 0272-7358 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2142709786
- Cited by
- 340
- References
- 51
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 31 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 1.67
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Clinical Psychology Review (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Hearing, Cochlea, Tinnitus, Genetics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Acoustics and Ultrasonics › Noise Effects and Management
- Keywords
- tinnitus, cognitive behavioral therapy, tinnitus distress, treatment efficacy, psychological intervention, effect size, maintenance of treatment effects
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Humans, Stress, Psychological, Tinnitus, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Treatment Outcome
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