Somatic Tracking for Tinnitus

Last updated: March 19, 2025
Sponsor: University College London Hospitals
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Tinnitus

Treatment

Mindfulness Meditation

Clinical Study ID

NCT06895824
21415/001
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

We are examining the effect of mindfulness meditation on attitudes towards tinnitus, as well as physical and psychological distress associated with the condition. The meditation is designed to promote neuroplasticity, fostering new neural connections to help you reinterpret tinnitus through a lens of safety and reduce the perception of threat. This approach integrates several techniques from various psychological therapies which have been promising in reducing tinnitusrelated distress. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to see whether a guided mindfulness meditation intervention is effective in improving the acceptance of tinnitus symptoms, as well as reducing tinnitus-related distress in people living with tinnitus.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Experiencing distressing tinnitus

  • Sufficient English language and hearing ability to take part

  • Completed all relevant medical and audiological investigations and concluded ensuingtreatment for any underlying disease

  • Not be engaging in any other therapy for tinnitus.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Risk to self (scoring 'nearly every day' on PHQ-9 question "Thoughts that you wouldbe better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way?")

  • Severe mental health difficulties (PHQ-9 score of 20 or more)

Study Design

Total Participants: 100
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Mindfulness Meditation
Phase:
Study Start date:
December 11, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
May 31, 2025

Study Description

Somatic tracking is one aspect of most mindfulness meditation protocols, involving paying attention to the present non-judgementally, and focusing on breath and bodily sensations (e.g., sounds in the case tinnitus). By encouraging individuals to observe and reinterpret distressing symptoms as benign, it aims to decrease the brain's reactivity and vigilance towards tinnitus symptoms, promoting acceptance instead of maladaptive avoidance behaviours that can inadvertently heighten awareness of symptoms (McKenna et al., 2020). Reduced tinnitus-related fear has appeared to improve CBT treatment effects (Cima et al., 2018), while greater tinnitus acceptance is associated with reduced tinnitus distress and improved mental well-being (Westin et al., 2008). This coping strategy has also reduced distress in other conditions, such as traumatic brain injury (Garland et al., 2009). In line with the greater goals of mindfulness, somatic tracking encourages sustained and flexible attention to the wider experience and environment, moving away from narrowed attention to tinnitus symptoms. In redeploying attention beyond tinnitus, awareness extends to other stimuli, and tinnitus-related distress should reduce alongside decreased resistance and selective attention which contribute to the perception of tinnitus (Marks et al., 2020b). This study aims to explore the effectiveness of a somatic tracking intervention - Tinnitus Tracking, for tinnitus sufferers. This intervention constitutes a mindfulness activity commonly part of meditation/mindfulness programmes, which will be tested as a standalone intervention. We aim to answer: What is the effect of Tinnitus Tracking compared to no intervention on (1) participants' positive and negative thoughts towards their tinnitus and (2) the physical and psychological distress associated with the condition?

Connect with a study center

  • Online

    London, NW1 9UT
    United Kingdom

    Active - Recruiting

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