Behavioral therapy is superior to follow‐up without intervention in patients with supragastric belching—A randomized study. Issue 2 (15th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Punkkinen, Jari; Nyyssönen, Meri; Walamies, Markku; Roine, Risto; Sintonen, Harri; Koskenpato, Jari; Haakana, Riikka; Arkkila, Perttu
• Is Part Of: Neurogastroenterology & motility. Volume 34:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-05-15
• Subjects: anxiety -- behavioral therapy -- depression -- health‐related quality of life -- mental well‐being -- supragastric belching; Gastrointestinal system -- Motility -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal system -- Innervation -- Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14171
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-1925

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Behavioral therapy (BT) has been proven effective in the treatment of supragastric belching (SGB) in open studies. The aim was to compare BT to follow‐up without intervention in patients with SGB in a randomized study. Methods: Forty‐two patients were randomized to receive 5 sessions of BT, comprising diaphragmatic breathing exercises, or to follow‐up without intervention. Patients were evaluated at 6 months, at which point the control group was also offered BT and evaluated after another 6 months. The frequency and intensity of belching and mental well‐being were evaluated with a visual analog scale (VAS). Depression, anxiety, and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) were evaluated with four questionnaires: BDI, BAI, 15D, and RAND‐36. Key results: The frequency and intensity of SGB were significantly lower in the therapy group ( n = 19) than in the control group ( n = 18) at the 6‐month control ( p < 0.001). When all patients ( n = 36) were evaluated 6 months after BT, in addition to relief in the frequency and intensity of belching ( p < 0.001), mental well‐being had also improved ( p < 0.05). Of all 36 patients, 27(75%) responded to BT. Depression scores were lower after therapy ( p < 0.05). Only minor changes occurred in anxiety and HRQoL. Conclusions and Inferences: Behavioral therapy is superior to follow‐up without intervention in patients with SGB in reducing belching and depression; it also improves mental well‐being but has only a modest effect on anxiety and HRQoL. Abstract : Behavioral therapy (BT) in patients with supragastric belching, a randomized study. The frequency and intensity of SGB were significantly lower in the therapy group than in the control group at the 6‐month control ( p < 0.001). BT is superior to follow‐up without intervention in patients with SGB in reducing belching and depression; it also improves mental well‐being but has only a modest effect on anxiety and HRQoL.MII‐pH = multichannel intraluminal impedance/esophageal pH monitoring, SGB = supragastric belching, HRQoL = health‐related quality of life, VAS = visual‐analog scale, BAI = Beck Anxiety Inventory, BDI = Beck Depression Inventory, 15D and RAND‐36 = health‐related quality of life questionnaires.