%0 Journal Article
%@ 2291-5222
%I JMIR Publications
%V 11
%N 
%P e38986
%T The Treatment Outcome of Smart Device–Based Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: Prospective Cohort Study
%A Suh,Myung-Whan
%A Park,Moo Kyun
%A Kim,Yoonjoong
%A Kim,Young Ho
%+ Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, 20 Boramae-ro 5-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 07061, Republic of Korea, 82 28702442, yhkiment@gmail.com
%K tinnitus
%K tinnitus retraining therapy
%K smart device
%K sound therapy
%K rehabilitation
%K therapy
%K tablet application
%K app-based
%K therapy
%K digital therapy
%K device-based therapy
%D 2023
%7 12.1.2023
%9 Original Paper
%J JMIR Mhealth Uhealth
%G English
%X Background: Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is a standard treatment for tinnitus that consists of directive counseling and sound therapy. However, it is based on face-to-face education and a time-consuming protocol. Smart device–based TRT (smart-TRT) seems to have many advantages, but the efficacy of this new treatment has been questioned. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy between smart-TRT and conventional TRT (conv-TRT). Methods: We recruited 84 patients with tinnitus. Results were compared between 42 patients who received smart-TRT and 42 control participants who received conv-TRT. An interactive smart pad application was used for directive counseling in the smart-TRT group. The smart pad application included detailed education on ear anatomy, the neurophysiological model of tinnitus, concept of habituation, and sound therapy. The smart-TRT was bidirectional: There were 17 multiple choice questions between each lesson as an interim check. The conv-TRT group underwent traditional person-to-person counseling. The primary outcome measure was the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and the secondary outcome measure was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: Both treatments had a significant treatment effect, which comparably improved during the first 2 months. The best improvements in THI were –23.3 (95% CI –33.1 to –13.4) points at 3 months and –16.8 (95% CI –30.8 to –2.8) points at 2 months in the smart-TRT group and conv-TRT group, respectively. The improvements on the VAS were also comparable: smart-TRT group: –1.2 to –3.3; conv-TRT: –0.7 to –1.7. Conclusions: TRT based on smart devices can be an effective alternative for tinnitus patients. Considering the amount of time needed for person-to-person counseling, smart-TRT can be a cost-effective solution with similar treatment outcomes as conv-TRT. 
%M 36633890
%R 10.2196/38986
%U https://mhealth.jmir.org/2023/1/e38986
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/38986
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36633890