Behavioral Therapy in Patients With Rumination

The study aim is to diagnose patients with the rumination syndrome defined by the Rome IV criteria and to treat them with behavioral therapy consisting of diaphragmatic breathing exercises and physiotherapy to relax tensed abdominal and thoracic muscles. Before referral to the study, gastroscopy, esophageal hgh-resolution manometry and 24-hour esophageal pH and impedance monitoring are required to rule out other esophageal conditions. Twenty Finnish speaking, 15-70 years old patients will be enrolled in this open study. All patients will visit the gastroenterologist at onset of the study and at 6 months. All patients will be referred to the speech therapist for five one-hour sessions consisting of diaphragmatic belching exercises and to the physiotherapist for two one-hour sessions consisting of exercises to relax tensed thoracic and abdominal muscles. All patients will also visit once the psychologist and dietician. Symptoms will be evaluated by the Rome IV questionnaire for adult functional gastrointestinal diseases at onset and at the 6-month control. Health-related quality of life, depression, anxiety, functional capacity will be evaluated by specific questionnaires at onset of the study and at the 6-month control. Esophageal high-resolution manometry will be performed at the 6-month control.