A Cochrane review included 8 studies with a total of 468 subjects with tinnitus. After the initial treatment, the waiting list groups also received cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), thus invalidating any further follow-up comparisons. There was no significant difference in the subjective tinnitus loudness between the CBT and waiting list control groups (SMD 0.24; 95% CI -0.02 to 0.51; 6 trials, n=354). Compared to other interventions (educational, yoga or other psychotherapeutic treatment), CBT did not provide any significant difference, either (SMD 0.1; 95% CI -0.22 to 0.42; 4 trials, n=164). However, there was a significant improvement in the quality of life (decrease of global tinnitus severity) in favour of CBT: SMD 0.91; 95% CI 0.50 to 1.32 (5 trials, n=309) compared to waiting list controls and SMD 0.64; 95% CI 0.29 to 1.00 (3 trials, n=146) compared to other interventions. In depression associated with tinnitus, there was a significant difference in reduction of depression score in favour of the CBT group vs. the waiting list control group (SMD 0.37; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.59; 6 trials, n=355). However, there was no significant difference in reduction of depression score between CBT and the other intervention control group (SMD 0.01; 95% CI -0.43 to 0.45; 3 trials, n=117).
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (short follow-up).