Feasibility of Intensive Ecological Sampling of Tinnitus in Intervention Research

Abstract

Objective

To assess whether adults with bothersome tinnitus will complete multiple ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) per day, including those during a therapeutic intervention trial. EMA is defined as repeated sampling of subjects’ current behaviors and experiences in real time.

Study Design

Twelve-week longitudinal cohort study conducted from August 28, 2017, to December 14, 2017.

Setting

Online only.

Subjects

Thirty adults with self-reported bothersome nonpulsatile tinnitus of >6 months’ duration.

Methods

Participants completed 2 weeks of EMA text surveys 7 times per day (preintervention), followed by 8 weeks of EMA questions 4 times per day (during intervention), concluding with 2 weeks of EMA questions 7 times per day (postintervention) for a total of 420 surveys over 12 weeks. During the 8-week intervention period, participants used a commercially available auditory-intensive online cognitive brain training program for 20 minutes per day, 5 times per week (total, 800 minutes). The primary outcome measures were compliance with EMA surveys, as measured by survey response rates, and participant-reported effects of EMA on their tinnitus bother.

Results

Of the 30 participants in this study (20 women and 10 men; median age, 54 years [range, 47-64 years]), 25 participants completed the study protocol (83%). Participants completed a median 87% of EMA surveys (range, 67%-99%). Qualitative analysis of free-text responses found that participants did not report negative side effects of the EMA.

Conclusion

Excellent participant compliance can be achieved with multiweek temporally rigorous EMA sampling. EMA sampling can successfully be conducted during an intervention. EMA is a promising sampling methodology in tinnitus research.