A research study by two UCLH psychologists finding that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can help in the management of tinnitus has been awarded a prize by the British Tinnitus Association.
Dr Laurence McKenna and Dr Elizabeth Marks at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital won the Marie & Jack Shapiro Prize, which is given each year to published research by UK authors ‘most likely to result in improved treatment of public awareness of tinnitus.’
The paper, one of two which won the prize among a shortlist of 26, was published in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics in November last year.
Dr McKenna and Dr Marks found that mindfulness cognitive behavioural therapy (MCBT) is more effective than standard relaxation therapy in reducing tinnitus severity. They found that MCBT reduces psychological distress and disability.
The judges awarding the prize said this is “a very thorough study and well-presented paper, likely to encourage others in the field to undergo further training and consider offering this in their service” and that it “further enhances the evidence based management options available.”
Persistent tinnitus is experienced by 10-15% of the population. Around half report at least moderate annoyance and 1% report significant distress and disability. Insomnia, anxiety, depression, hearing problems and cognitive processing difficulties are common.
Also involved in the study were Dr Roland Schaette at the UCL Ear Institute who carried out the randomisation process for the study, and Dr Chris Hallsworth at the University of Bath who advised on statistical analysis.
