Effects of Imagery Therapy vs Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy on Patients With Functional Abdominal Bloating

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.