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Understanding the Pathophysiology and Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing in Upright Gastroesophageal Reflux

Understanding the Pathophysiology and Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing in Upright Gastroesophageal Reflux

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02972047
Enrollment
60
Registered
2016-11-23
Start date
2017-04-06
Completion date
2020-08-30
Last updated
2020-12-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

GERD

Keywords

Reflux

Brief summary

This study aims to understand why patients have predominantly upright gastroesophageal reflux disease by comparing such patients to healthy persons AND whether a behavioral intervention (diaphragmatic breathing) will impact this disease

Detailed description

There are two major patterns of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), predominantly daytime and upright reflux and predominantly nocturnal and supine reflux. Traditionally, upright reflux has been attributed to more frequent or wider opening with transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs) while supine reflux results from a consistently reduced lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. This may further be accounted for by the finding of larger hiatal hernias and greater pressure gradients between the crura and LES when comparing supine to upright refluxers. These findings may help explain supine reflux, but they offer little insight into the mechanisms of upright reflux. In this study the investigators will be recruiting twenty healthy persons and up to 60 patients with GERD will be recruited from the clinical practice at Mayo Clinic Rochester. The investigators aim to study the intervention on 40 patients with GERD. However, recognizing that up to 33% of patients with typical symptoms of GERD will not have reflux by ambulatory pH monitoring (pH power of hydration), the investigators provide for enrolling up to a maximum of 60 patients which should be sufficient to yield 40 patients with upright GERD by pH monitoring. In addition, up to 10 additional healthy persons may be recruited. Subjects with upright reflux and healthy controls will be randomized into one of two groups: Experimental: Diaphragmatic breathing or Sham comparator: (listening to music/watching Television (TV) for 30 minutes after each meal to see how this impacts the disease.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALDiaphragmatic Breathing

Subjects in this are practice diaphragmatic breathing for 30 minutes after each meal.

BEHAVIORALSham Comparator

Sham therapy (listening to music/watching TV for 30 minutes after each meal

Sponsors

Mayo Clinic
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

for Healthy Persons: -Patients 18 years of age or older with no symptoms of GERD Inclusion Criteria for Patients: * Patients 18 years of age or older with symptoms of GERD * Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy within the past 6 months and a prior diagnostic pH impedance study showing predominantly upright reflux

Exclusion criteria

for Patients; Items indicated with an asterisk (\*) are also

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The total esophageal acid exposure time during the diagnostic 24hour pH study compared with the interventional study2 daysThe investigators will compare the total esophageal acid exposure time in minutes during the first 24 hour ambulatory pH study with the second 24 period during which patients are either randomized to biofeedback versus sham

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Upper gastrointestinal pressures in patients with upright GER compared to healthy people2 daysUpper gastrointestinal pressures and pressure changes associated with meals will be described. Pressure differences will be measured in mmHg.
The effects of provocative maneuvers on upper gastrointestinal pressures.2 daysThe investigators will compare the effects of provocative maneuvers on upper gastrointestinal pressure. Pressure differences will be measured in mmHg.
The effects of provocative maneuvers on reflux2 daysThe investigators will compare the effects of provocative maneuvers on reflux as measured with impedance (Ohms)
The effects of diaphragmatic breathing on upper gastrointestinal pressures2 daysThe investigators will report any pressure changes (measures in mmHg) associated with diaphragmatic breathing on upper gastrointestinal pressure.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026