Abdominal Nausea and Gastrointestinal Discomfort: A Biofeedback Assessment Model to Create a Rationale for Training

Abstract

Abdominal distress affects many people, and biofeedback training appears to be a useful strategy to reduce symptoms. This essay provides detailed instruction for a first session assessment for a client who has abdominal discomfort (functional abdominal pain). Descriptions include how the physiological recording was used to understand a possible etiology of the illness, to create an explanation that is readily understood by the client, and finally to offer self-regulation suggestions for generalizing learning for clients to better promote health for themselves.