Breathing program improved tinnitus-related questionnaire scores in a small trial
Adding 4-7-8 breathing to tinnitus education produced lower symptom, insomnia, anxiety, and stress scores than education alone.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The breathing group reported lower tinnitus-handicap, insomnia, anxiety, and stress scores than the education-only group after the program. This supports a short-term improvement in questionnaire outcomes in people with subjective tinnitus. The abstract does not quantify the difference or establish that tinnitus disappeared, hearing improved, or benefits continued after the study ended.
The abstract reports statistical significance without effect sizes or confidence intervals. Follow-up ends with the program, and the methods do not describe blinding.
What researchers found
Tinnitus Handicap Inventory
Breathing plus education versus education alone at 6 weeks; the abstract does not report the score difference.
What participants received
Both groups received an informational session about tinnitus. The experimental group also practiced the named breathing technique during the study period. Assessments covered tinnitus handicap, insomnia severity, anxiety, perceived stress, and visual-analog ratings.
Reported symptoms and uncertainty
Scores in the education-only group did not change significantly from baseline. That does not prove education has no effect. The between-group comparison is the relevant result for assessing the added breathing program.
The original publication
The Effect of 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise Technique on Tinnitus Handicap, Psychological Factors, and Sleep Quality in Tinnitus Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study.
Kirazli G, Baran S, Uysal GS et al.
Brain Behav · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41676854
- Record checked
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