Application of Diaphragmatic Breathing in Patients With Disorders of Gut-brain Interaction

Summary

Patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) often present gastrointestinal symptoms that do not show noticeable irregularities in standard examinations. However, due to unclear causes and a high prevalence rate, this condition often exerts a profound impact on the physical and mental health of patients. The scope of DGBI encompasses conditions such as laryngopharyngeal reflux, functional dyspepsia, and irritable bowel syndrome. Previous research has confirmed that in patients with DGBI, their autonomic nervous system exhibits an imbalance, charact erized by decreased parasympathetic activity and dominant sympathetic activity. Diaphragmatic breathing helps reduce the respiratory rate and can stimulate parasympathetic activity while suppressing sympathetic activity. Hence, it is now officially recommended as an effective adjunct therapy for relieving symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Accordingly, this study plans to implement a randomized controlled trial, introducing diaphragmatic breathing to patients with DGBI who exhibit normal results in objective examinations. This work allows evaluate changes in their psychophysical symptoms before and after treatment, as well as alterations in the autonomic nervous system .

Conditions

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Healthy Subjects
• Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Healthy subjects : abdominal breathing

The guidance content for the second session of self-practice in the first week involves practicing for 5 minutes each day, and recording a week-long diary of diaphragmatic breathing. After the first week, the subjects will undergo a once-off autonomic nervous system test and a questionnaire assessment of physical and mental symptoms. In the second week, the subjects will receive guidance for the second session of daily self-practice, practicing for 5 minutes each time, and recording a week-long diary of diaphragmatic breathing. After the second week, the subjects will undergo another round of autonomic nervous system testing and a questionnaire assessment of physical and mental symptoms.

BEHAVIORAL

Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease subjects : abdominal breathing

The guidance content for the second session of self-practice in the first week involves practicing for 5 minutes each day, and recording a week-long diary of diaphragmatic breathing. After the first week, the subjects will undergo a once-off autonomic nervous system test and a questionnaire assessment of physical and mental symptoms. In the second week, the subjects will receive guidance for the second session of daily self-practice, practicing for 5 minutes each time, and recording a week-long diary of diaphragmatic breathing. After the second week, the subjects will undergo another round of autonomic nervous system testing and a questionnaire assessment of physical and mental symptoms.

BEHAVIORAL

Dyspepsia subjects : abdominal breathing

The guidance content for the second session of self-practice in the first week involves practicing for 5 minutes each day, and recording a week-long diary of diaphragmatic breathing. After the first week, the subjects will undergo a once-off autonomic nervous system test and a questionnaire assessment of physical and mental symptoms. In the second week, the subjects will receive guidance for the second session of daily self-practice, practicing for 5 minutes each time, and recording a week-long diary of diaphragmatic breathing. After the second week, the subjects will undergo another round of autonomic nervous system testing and a questionnaire assessment of physical and mental symptoms.

BEHAVIORAL

Irritable bowel disorder : abdominal breathing

The guidance content for the second session of self-practice in the first week involves practicing for 5 minutes each day, and recording a week-long diary of diaphragmatic breathing. After the first week, the subjects will undergo a once-off autonomic nervous system test and a questionnaire assessment of physical and mental symptoms. In the second week, the subjects will receive guidance for the second session of daily self-practice, practicing for 5 minutes each time, and recording a week-long diary of diaphragmatic breathing. After the second week, the subjects will undergo another round of autonomic nervous system testing and a questionnaire assessment of physical and mental symptoms.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

70 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-09-01

Primary Completion

2024-12-31

Completion

2024-12-31

Countries

• Taiwan

Study Locations