The Journal of International
Advanced Otology
Original Article

A Comparative Study of Readability, Acceptability, and the Adaptation of an Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus

1.

Department of Audiology, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey

2.

Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA, and University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

3.

Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Group, Anglia Ruskin University, School of Psychology and Sport Science,Cambridge, United Kingdom

4.

İstanbul Medeniyet University, Faculty of Health Sciences, İstanbul, Turkey

5.

Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

6.

Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

7.

Department of Speech-language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

8.

Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA

9.

UCHealth Hearing and Balance, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, USA

10.

Department of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India

J Int Adv Otol 2023; 19: 182-190
DOI: 10.5152/iao.2023.221023
Read: 1455 Downloads: 519 Published: 01 May 2023

BACKGROUND: Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy has shown effectiveness in managing chronic tinnitus. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy is currently available in only a few languages (English, Swedish, Spanish, and German). The current study aimed to adapt, evaluate, and compare the readability and acceptability of the Turkish internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy materials compared to previous versions.

METHODS: Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy materials were adapted from the preexisting American English to the Turkish population in a 4-step process: (1) cultural adaptations, (2) acceptability adaptation of materials to the Turkish-speaking population, and (3) literacy-level adjustments. Experts (n=11) and patients (n=11) rated the intervention materials and the ePlatform for acceptability, including usability, content, presentation, and suitability (4).

RESULTS: Literacy-level adjustments generated acceptable and readability levels of the Turkish version of the internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program. The average readability score was 76.15 ± 0.35. The Turkish internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (Mdn: 7.00) was statistically lower compared to the Swedish (Mdn: 9.00) but higher when compared to the American English and Spanish (Mdn: 5.00) versions. There were no statistical differences between the British English and Turkish versions in readability scores. Acceptability in the internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy platform was rated favorably.

CONCLUSION: The Turkish internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy was found to be user-friendly and easy to understand, with navigations that are straightforward, have clear information, and are supported by audiologists. The readability score of the Turkish internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy is within recommended limits to ensure comprehensibility. We suggest that an online cognitive behavioral therapy program is adaptable for other languages for countries with a limited number of clinicians focused on cognitive behavioral therapy and tinnitus.

Cite this article as: Gürses E, Beukes E, Cesur S, Andersson G, Manchaiah V. A comparative study of readability, acceptability, and the adaptation of an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for tinnitus. J Int Adv Otol. 2023;19(3):182-190.

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EISSN 2148-3817