D'Andréa G, Giacchero R, Roger C, Vandersteen C, Guevara N. Evaluation of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in the management of tinnitus. An observational study.
Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis 2021;
139:65-71. [PMID:
34229983 DOI:
10.1016/j.anorl.2021.06.002]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Tinnitus can induce disabling psychological suffering, requiring an integrative multimodal approach, combining neuromodulation and psychotherapeutic methods. We sought to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and acceptability of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in tinnitus.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a single-center prospective non-comparative study. Inclusion criteria comprised: adult patient, with chronic tinnitus, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score>17, causing psychological distress motivating active treatment after ineffective "classic" treatment (combining advice, sound therapy and first-line drug treatment), and agreement to EMDR therapy. Therapeutic efficacy was defined by a decrease in THI or Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores. Treatment acceptability was defined by the rate of included patients who completed therapy.
RESULTS
Thirty-eight patients were included. There was a significant reduction of 53.5% in THI score in 78.9% of patients (P<0.0001; 64.8±20.8 before versus 31.8±24.7 after treatment), and of 51% in VAS score in 76.3% of patients (P<0.0001; 7.24±2.12 before versus 3.58±2.03 after treatment). The treatment acceptability was 86.8%.
CONCLUSION
EMDR appeared to be an effective alternative that was acceptable to the majority of patients, after failure of "classic" first-line treatment, improving quality of life in tinnitus patients and thus relieving disability.
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