Third Wave Treatment of Tinnitus Distress: The Creation of an English Language ACT Website and a Proposed Clinical Trial

Abstract

A promising line of research into treatment for tinnitus, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), reduces the severity of tinnitus distress by approximately one-third. However, the ability to provide ACT therapy for tinnitus is currently compromised by COVID-19 restrictions. A method of circumventing COVID-19 restrictions is suggested by a novel Swedish online treatment study (Hesser et al., 2012), in which the use of ACT and CBT to treat tinnitus was provided over the Internet. The proposed clinical study investigates whether the Hesser online protocol can be replicated and adapted for use by a U.S. audience. Method: Participants are invited to a treatment website at www.zerotinnitus.com where they are assessed with standardized self-report measures (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II, Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire, Valued Living Questionnaire, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Tinnitus Acceptance Questionnaire) at pre- and post-treatment. Results: Data gathering is ongoing due to pandemic conditions. The dataset is provided to researchers without charge for analysis and for use in combination with other interventions being studied. Discussion: A translated and adapted web-based intervention using ACT for the treatment of tinnitus was provided for use by a U.S. audience but the study experienced a high drop out rate.