Background. Abdominal distention is produced by an abnormal somatic postural tone. The authors developed an original biofeedback technique based on electromyography-guided control of abdominothoracic muscular activity. In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial the authors demonstrated the superiority of biofeedback over placebo for the treatment of abdominal distention. However, the technique is technically complex and unpractical. Aim. To prove the efficacy of a non-instrumental biofeedback technique for the treatment of abdominal distension. Selection criteria. Visible abdominal distension after meal ingestion; patients are able to identify the offending meal. Intervention. Patients will be randomized into biofeedback in placebo groups. Three sessions of either biofeedback or placebo intervention will be performed during the first 3 weeks of the intervention period. Biofeedback: patients will be taught to control abdominal and thoracic muscular activity by providing instructions using an original video support. Patients will be instructed to perform the same exercises before and after breakfast, lunch and dinner during the 4-week intervention period. Placebo: sham measurements of abdominal and thoracic motion will be performed, and a pill of placebo containing 0.21 g glucose will be administered; patients will be instructed to take a pill of placebo before breakfast, lunch and dinner during the 4-week intervention period.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
41
Three sessions of biofeedback intervention will be performed during the first 3 weeks of the intervention period. Patients will be taught to control abdominal and thoracic muscular activity by providing instructions using an original video support. Patients will be instructed to perform the same exercises before and after breakfast, lunch and dinner during the 4-week intervention period.
Three sessions of placebo intervention will be performed during the first 3 weeks of the intervention period. Sham measurements of abdominal and thoracic motion will be performed, and a pill of placebo containing 0.21 g glucose will be administered; patients will be instructed to take a pill of placebo before breakfast, lunch and dinner during the 4-week intervention period.
Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron
Barcelona, Spain
Sensation of abdominal distension
Sensation score measured by scales graded from 0 (not at all) to 10 (very much) at the end of each day over a 7-day clinical evaluation period before and during the 4th week of the intervention.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Changes in girth produced by the probe meal
Abdominal girth will be measured using a non-stretch belt that is placed over the umbilicus before and after the probe meal. The response to the meal will be measured before and after treatment.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Effect of probe meal on sensation of abdominal distension
Sensation score measured by scales graded from 0 (not at all) to 10 (very much) after the probe meal. The response to the meal will be measured before and after the intervention.
Time frame: 4 weeks
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