OBJECTIVES: Cognitive-behavioural treatment of chronic tinnitus needs active cooperation and motivation in patients. The transtheoretical model (TTM) defines the behavioural change using six different stages of change (SoC). In this study, we examined SoC in patients with tinnitus via a new self-rating instrument. SAMPLE AND METHODS: An item-pool, consisting of 48 questions, was administered to 125 tinnitus sufferers in a cross-sectional study. In addition to data on tinnitus history, the tinnitus strain (THI, German: TB-12), scores of anxiety and depression (HADS-D), and life quality (SF-12) were assessed. RESULTS: Four SoC could be identified empirically: (1) precontemplation, (2) contemplation/preparation, (3) action/maintenance, and (4) termination. Associations of the SoC with socio-demographic and tinnitus related data, as well as with the instruments applied, conformed with the theory. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the transfer of SoC theory to patients with tinnitus.
