Treatment of Functional Abdominal Distension

Three sessions of biofeedback will be performed during the first 3 weeks of the intervention period. Biofeedback sessions will be performed 30 min after ingestion of the offending meal: patients will be taught to control abdominal and thoracic muscular activity by providing a visual display of the abdominal and thoracic perimeter; specifically, they will be instructed to reduce the abdominal perimeter (girth). Patients will be instructed to perform the same exercises before and after breakfast, lunch and dinner during the 4-week intervention period.

Three sessions will be performed during the first 3 weeks of the intervention period. Each session will be performed 30 min after ingestion of the offending meal: abdominal and thoracic perimeter will be recorded but not shown to the patient; patients will take a pill of placebo containing 0.5 g glucose and no specific instructions will be provided. Patients will be instructed to take a pill of placebo before breakfast, lunch and dinner during the 4-week intervention period.