Dyspepsia, Functional Bloating, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Conditions
Brief summary
Background. Abdominal distention is produced by an abnormal somatic postural tone. The authors developed an original biofeedback technique. 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 noninstrumental biofeedback technique, transmitted by a standard training program, for the treatment of abdominal distension in different centers. Selection criteria. Episodes of visible abdominal distension. Intervention. Patients will be randomized into biofeedback and 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. In each center one operator will receive a standard training on how to deliver the noninstrumental biofeedback treatment. 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.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALBiofeedback
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
BEHAVIORALPlacebo
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.
Sponsors
Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* episodes of visible abdominal distension triggered by meal ingestion
Exclusion criteria
* organic cause detected by clinical work-up * constipation * abdominal distension not confirmed by the 7-day clinical questionnaires in the pre- intervention evaluation
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Visible abdominal distension | 4 weeks | Distension 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. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sensation of abdominal pressure/fullness | 4 weeks | 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. |
| Sensation of abdominal discomfort/pain | 4 weeks | 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 |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Follow-up after biofeedback | 6 months | Sensation of abdominal distension 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 at 1, 3 and 6 months after biofeedback treatment |
Countries
Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States
Contacts
Primary ContactFernando Azpiroz, MD
Backup ContactJordi Serra, MD
Outcome results
None listed