Effects of Imagery Therapy vs Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy on Patients With Functional Abdominal Bloating
Condition: Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Diseases; Digestive System Diseases
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      65% of the general population reported experiencing moderate to severe bloating symptoms.
      Bloating could be disturbing to patients and frustrating to the physicians as an effective
      treatment is still lacking. Guided Imagery (GI) involves the structured visualisation of
      mental images with somatic sensory; whereas Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) focuses on
      tightening and relaxing the body's specific muscle groups. The development and validation of
      GI or PMR interventions to treat patients with functional abdominal bloating are relatively
      novel.
    

Detailed description: 
      The baseline variables of the patient would be obtained at the outpatient Gastrointestinal
      Medical clinic. A thorough general clinical interview that encompasses medical and
      psychological history, discussion of the nature and severity of the current symptoms, and
      review of past treatments and conclusions of any medical evaluation and tests. This is to
      make sure that the patients have been comprehensively evaluated medically and to rule out
      other causes of abdominal bloating before reaching a firm diagnosis of functional abdominal
      bloating as suggested in ROME IV Criteria. Questionnaires will be given out and patients were
      asked to fill it up on the spot. Electrical activity and abdominal circumference would be
      measured at an enclosed space with appropriate privacy and accompanied by a chaperone.
    

Intervention name(s): Guided Imagery; Progressive Muscle Relaxation; Educational Audiobook
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral; Other
Intervention description(s): Individualized Guided Imagery (GI) technique, an alternative type of relaxation therapy. The content of GI usually includes scenery, places or any image projected to the mind. By using information generated, participants are guided to create a place in their mind using their senses of touch, sound, smell, sight and taste.; Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) therapy works by progressively relaxing and tensing the muscle groups throughout the entire body. Each muscle group will be tensed for about 5 seconds. If there's any pain or discomfort at any of the targeted areas, participants were told to omit that particular step. Constant purposeful deep breathing was instructed throughout the session especially in between changes of muscle.; Participants in the control group will receive an audiobook that targets to educate patients regarding gut-brain disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, causes of functional abdominal bloating, and treatment modalities available. Relaxing musical background will be added to facilitate the delivery.
Other intervention name(s): Imagery (Psychotherapy); Imagery, Guided; Psychotherapy Imagery; Imagery Psychotherapy; Progressive Relaxation
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Guided Imagery; Progressive Muscle Relaxation; Relaxation Techniques; Psychotherapy; Hypnosis; Sports Psychology; Bloating; Gastrointestinal Disease; Distention