Eight patients enrolled in a Mindfulness-Based Tinnitus Stress Reduction (MBSR) program experienced improvement in their symptoms and in how they perceived their disease, according to a Reuters Health news report.

Participants took an eight-week group meditation course supplemented by readings and practice at home led by audio recordings, followed by a one-day retreat.

By the end of the study, the patients reported decreased perceptions of annoyance and of handicap by the condition.

Chronic pain and tinnitus have similarities in its intractable nature, a psychologist told Reuters Health. If MBSR is effective for pain, it could be an approach to relief tinnitus.

"MBSR doesn't 'work on' tinnitus," she added. "Rather it teaches a person how to 'work with' tinnitus."

Source: Reuters