Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises Reduce Reflux Symptoms in Non-Erosive Reflux Disease

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: There are not adequate studies conducted on the effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing exercises on pyrosis and regurgitation in non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). Therefore, we aimed to examine the efficacy of diaphragmatic breathing exercise on pyrosis and regurgitation complaint in patients with NERD. METHODS: A total of 50 patients who were diagnosed with NERD and who did diaphragmatic breathing exercises in addition to proton pump inhibitör (PPI) treatment were included in the study, and 50 patients who received PPI treatment and who did not do any exercises were included as the control group. Scoring was carried out to determine the prevalence of pyrosis and regurgitation in the first and third months of the diaphragmatic breathing exercise program. The PPI use of the patients was evaluated as not using; using one-three days a week, using four-six days a week, and using every day. RESULTS: No differences were detected in demographic and laboratory parameters between two groups. When the effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing exercises on pyrosis and regurgitation were compared for the first and third months; it was determined that the frequency of pyrosis was decreased at a significant level in patients doing exercise group (p<0.001). In these patients, the frequency of PPI use decreased when compared to the control group (p<0.01). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In NERD patients, there is long-term or on-demand PPI use for the symptoms. In this study, it was shown that diaphragmatic breathing exercises decrease the frequency of PPI use by reducing the symptoms of pyrosis and regurgitation in patients who have a NERD.

Keywords

• non-erosive reflux disease
• gastroesophageal disease
• diaphragmatic berating exercise