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| IJCEM Copyright © 2008-All rights reserved. Published by e-Century Publishing Corporation, Madison, WI 53711 |
Int J Clin Exp Med 2012;5(4):273-288
Original Article
Long-term effects of the “Heidelberg Model of Music Therapy” in patients with
chronic tinnitus
Heike Argstatter, Miriam Grapp, Elisabeth Hutter, Peter Plinkert, Hans Volker Bolay
German Center for Music Therapy Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Musiktherapieforschung (Viktor Dulger Institut) DZM e.V.),
Heidelberg, Germany; University Hospital for Ear, Nose, and Throat, University of Heidelberg, Germany; Music Therapy Tinnitus
Outpatient Department , Heidelberg, Germany
Received July 9, 2012; Accepted July 31, 2012; Epub August 22, 2012; Published September 15, 2012
Abstract: Objective: The “Heidelberg Model of Music Therapy for Chronic Tinnitus” is a manualized short term treatment (nine 50-
minutes sessions of individualized therapy on five consecutive days). It has proven to be efficient in reducing tinnitus symptoms in the
short run. Now the long-term impact of the treatment after up to 5.4 years should be explored. Materials and methods: 206 patients who
had attended the neuro-music therapy were addressed in a structured follow-up questionnaire survey. 107 complete questionnaires
entered analysis. Follow-up time was 2.65 (SD 1.1) years. Results: 76% of the patients achieved a reliable reduction in their tinnitus
scores, the overall tinnitus distress as measured by the Mini-TQ diminished from 48.8 (SD = 28.3) to 26.9 (SD = 25.9) points, 87% of
the patients were satisfied by the way they were treated during therapy, and 71% of the patients did not undergo any further treatment
after. Evaluation of therapeutic elements displays, that only music therapy specific interventions were rated helpful by the patients.
Tinnitus related factors (such as tinnitus pitch or loudness, time since onset) did not influence therapy outcome but female gender,
positive therapeutic relationship, and higher initial Mini-TQ scores became apparent as factors predicting better chances for greater
therapy success. Discussion: The “Heidelberg Model of Music Therapy for Chronic Tinnitus” seems to be effective in the long run. The
outcome effect size of d’ = 0.91, can be accounted for as “large” effect and falls into the upper range value compared to established
treatments. (IJCEM1207002).
Keywords: Music Therapy, tinnitus, long-term outcome, tinnitus questionnaire, odds ratio, logistic regression
Address all correspondence to:
Dr. Heike Argstatter
German Center for Music Therapy Research
(Deutsches Zentrum für Musiktherapieforschung (Viktor Dulger Institut) DZM e.V.)
Maaßstraße 32/1, 69123 Heidelberg, Germany.
Tel: (+49)- 6221 - 79 63 960
E-mail: heike.argstatter@dzm-heidelberg.de
Original Article
Long-term effects of the “Heidelberg Model of Music Therapy” in patients with
chronic tinnitus
Heike Argstatter, Miriam Grapp, Elisabeth Hutter, Peter Plinkert, Hans Volker Bolay
German Center for Music Therapy Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Musiktherapieforschung (Viktor Dulger Institut) DZM e.V.),
Heidelberg, Germany; University Hospital for Ear, Nose, and Throat, University of Heidelberg, Germany; Music Therapy Tinnitus
Outpatient Department , Heidelberg, Germany
Received July 9, 2012; Accepted July 31, 2012; Epub August 22, 2012; Published September 15, 2012
Abstract: Objective: The “Heidelberg Model of Music Therapy for Chronic Tinnitus” is a manualized short term treatment (nine 50-
minutes sessions of individualized therapy on five consecutive days). It has proven to be efficient in reducing tinnitus symptoms in the
short run. Now the long-term impact of the treatment after up to 5.4 years should be explored. Materials and methods: 206 patients who
had attended the neuro-music therapy were addressed in a structured follow-up questionnaire survey. 107 complete questionnaires
entered analysis. Follow-up time was 2.65 (SD 1.1) years. Results: 76% of the patients achieved a reliable reduction in their tinnitus
scores, the overall tinnitus distress as measured by the Mini-TQ diminished from 48.8 (SD = 28.3) to 26.9 (SD = 25.9) points, 87% of
the patients were satisfied by the way they were treated during therapy, and 71% of the patients did not undergo any further treatment
after. Evaluation of therapeutic elements displays, that only music therapy specific interventions were rated helpful by the patients.
Tinnitus related factors (such as tinnitus pitch or loudness, time since onset) did not influence therapy outcome but female gender,
positive therapeutic relationship, and higher initial Mini-TQ scores became apparent as factors predicting better chances for greater
therapy success. Discussion: The “Heidelberg Model of Music Therapy for Chronic Tinnitus” seems to be effective in the long run. The
outcome effect size of d’ = 0.91, can be accounted for as “large” effect and falls into the upper range value compared to established
treatments. (IJCEM1207002).
Keywords: Music Therapy, tinnitus, long-term outcome, tinnitus questionnaire, odds ratio, logistic regression
Address all correspondence to:
Dr. Heike Argstatter
German Center for Music Therapy Research
(Deutsches Zentrum für Musiktherapieforschung (Viktor Dulger Institut) DZM e.V.)
Maaßstraße 32/1, 69123 Heidelberg, Germany.
Tel: (+49)- 6221 - 79 63 960
E-mail: heike.argstatter@dzm-heidelberg.de
