Clinical trial NCT06812650: Breathing Exercises in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux
Official title: Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing and Relaxation Exercises in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
Phase: NA
Conditions: Reflux Disease, Gastro-Esophageal
Keywords: Breathing Exercises
Relaxation
Quality of Life
Anxiety
Lead sponsor: Karabuk University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-02-06
Enrollment: 68
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 65
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises combined with relaxation exercises on patient-reported reflux symptoms, quality of life, anxiety, and depression levels in patients diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux.

Detailed description: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a pathological condition in which various symptoms and/or complications occur as a result of the escape of stomach contents into the esophagus, oral cavity, or lungs. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is largely associated with various respiratory diseases such as chronic cough, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma. Accordingly, respiratory function deterioration may be observed in spirometric measurements. Increased symptom burden in gastroesophageal reflux patients has been associated with poor quality of life, sleep disturbances, and decreased physical function and productivity. However, increased anxiety and depression levels in patients are also closely related to reflux symptoms.At the esophagogastric junction, the lower esophageal sphincter and the surrounding crura of the diaphragm constitute an important part of the protective mechanism against reflux. The crural diaphragm, which contracts during inspiration, acts as an additional external sphincter. Since the crural diaphragm is a striated muscle structure, it is possible to improve its function with exercise. Eherer et al. (2012) examined the effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises performed for 30 minutes per day for 4 weeks on pH levels, quality of life, and medication use in patients with non-erosive reflux. As a result of the study, they found that quality of life increased and acid exposure decreased.The recurrence rate and maintenance treatment requirement after treatment are high in reflux patients. Proton pump inhibitor drugs commonly used in treatment may have various side effects in the long term. Although the diaphragm muscle is an important part of the protective mechanism against reflux, there are few studies investigating the effects of applications targeting this muscle on reflux.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Individuals who do not have cardiopulmonary, mental, connective tissue, metabolic, or other diseases that may prevent exercise
* Individuals who do not have body mass index \>35 or \<18
* Individuals who are not addicted to alcohol or cigarettes
* Individuals who are between the ages of 18 and 65
* Individuals who are diagnosed with non-erosive reflux will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals with a history of gastrointestinal surgery
* Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding
* Individuals who have hiatal hernia

Primary outcomes:
measure: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire
timeFrame: Eight weeks
measure: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease- Quality of Life
timeFrame: Eight weeks
Secondary outcomes:
measure: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
timeFrame: Eight weeks
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Istanbul
country: Turkey
facility: Private Maras Health Services
Study officials:
References: