Effect of educational counseling alone on people with tinnitus: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Issue 1 (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xiang, Tao; Zhong, Juan; Lu, Tao; Pu, Jun-mei; Liu, Lu; Xiao, Yan; Lai, Dan
• Is Part Of: Patient education and counseling. Volume 103:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 44
• Page End: 54
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: Tinnitus -- Education -- Counseling -- Psychotherapy -- Review; Patient education -- Periodicals; Health counseling -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Patient Education -- Periodicals; Éducation des patients -- Périodiques; Counseling -- Périodiques; Éducation sanitaire -- Périodiques; 615.5071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2019.07.031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-3991

Abstract

Highlights: Analysis of tinnitus treated by educational counseling alone as experimental group. Educational counseling alone is similar efficacy for patient. Educational counseling alone provide a cost-effective treatment way. Our study provides a reference for optimizing the use of medical resources. 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; I 2 = 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 (I 2 = 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 (I 2 = 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.