[Music therapy for tinnitus patients: an interdisciplinary pilot study of the Heidelberg Model]

(Musiktherapie bei Tinnitus: Interdisziplinäre Pilotstudie zur Uberprüfung des Heidelberger Modells.)

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Chronic tinnitus, one of the most common disorders in ENT medicine, requires comprehensive and interdisciplinary treatment.

OBJECTIVE:
An innovative music therapy approach, developed at the German Center for Music Therapy Research in cooperation with the ENT clinic of the University of Heidelberg ("Heidelberg Model"), strives to integrate the tinnitus sound into a musically controllable acoustic process. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of this current treatment.

METHODS:
We carried out a prospective, two-armed (music therapy group vs control group) study with 20 patients (10 males, 10 females; mean age 51+/-7 years), suffering from decompensated chronic tinnitus (mean score in the Tinnitus Questionnaire TQ=46.8+/-9.6). The target variables involved TQ values, pre- and post-measurements, and follow-up after 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS:
Group comparison yields a highly statistically and clinically significant decrease in mean TQ-scores pre- and post in the music therapy group by 25 points or 52% on average as compared to 2 points (4%) in the control group [univariate

ANOVA:
(F(1,31)=14.19, P=0.001), effect size d=1.73]. Logarithmic regression analysis reveals a fast onset and long lasting effect of music therapy (B=-8.9; F(1,125)=32.11, P=0.000).

DISCUSSION:
The effectiveness of this highly economic approach was proven as the innovative music therapy concept yields statistically and clinically significant results which remain stable throughout follow-up. Further investigations with larger sample sizes and using brain imaging should strengthen these findings.

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Author information

Author/s: Argstatter, H (H); Plinkert, P (P); Bolay, H V (HV);

Affiliation: Deutsches Zentrum für Musiktherapieforschung (Viktor Dulger Institut) DZM e. V., Heidelberg. heike.argstatter(-atsign-)fh-heidelberg.de

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Controlled Clinical Trial; English Abstract; Journal Article

Journal: HNO (HNO), published in Germany. (Language: ger)

Reference: 2007-May; vol 55 (issue 5) : pp 375-83

Dates: Created 2007/05/08; Completed 2007/06/12;

PMID: 17082957, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Chronic Disease
Female
Germany
Humans
Male
Middle Aged

Middle Aged
Music Therapy - methods
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Patient Care Team
Pilot Projects
Tinnitus - diagnosis; rehabilitation
Treatment Outcome

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