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OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to identify the content and regularity of messaging that people with tinnitus might find useful in a mobile-based therapeutic application. BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of a physical sound source. Perceived as a sound, tinnitus distress is associated with complex biopsychosocial interactions. Many tinnitus therapies aim to demystify tinnitus, modify negative thoughts, and reduce unhelpful behaviors associated with tinnitus perception. These therapies require long-term engagement to limit tinnitus perception and/or reduce psychological response. Motivational messaging is a behavioral change approach that uses messages catering to an individual's unique motivations, challenges, and perceptions to promote healthy behaviors. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey of people on a tinnitus research list was conducted, yielding 986 responses. A subset of questions was focused on education and counseling for tinnitus behavior change. RESULTS: Participants preferred the concept of messaging once a day, with an emphasis on 'tips and tools to manage tinnitus', 'ways to use masking noise to help fall asleep', 'therapy reminders', and 'stress management techniques'. The rating of messages was positively correlated with the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) score; higher TFI scores, indicating a greater impact of tinnitus on life, were associated with higher ratings of message value. There were significant gender differences in scores, with females valuing the messaging concepts more positively than males. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified key messages for use of a mobile health (mHealth) strategy for tinnitus management. Most participants viewed messaging as potentially useful in a mHealth solution for tinnitus.
Narejo et al. (Sat,) studied this question.