Multidisciplinary behavioral therapy reduces rumination.

Background: Behavioral therapy has proved effective as rumination therapy. Our objective was to treat rumination patients using multidisciplinary behavioral therapy aimed at reducing ≥2 of the rumination score.

Methods: All patients fulfilled Rome IV criteria for rumination and were referred to speech therapy for psychoeducation, diaphragmatic breathing exercises and guided eating, physiotherapy for exercises to relax the thoracic and abdominal muscles, and consultation with the psychologist and the dietitian. Symptoms, depression, anxiety, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and functional capacity were evaluated by questionnaires (Rome IV, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), 15D, and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0) at baseline and at 6-month control. Esophageal manometry was performed at 6-month control.

Key results: The study enrolled 11 patients (19-64 years, 10 female). Rumination score: 6.5 (5-8) at baseline, 4.0 (3-5) at the 6-month control, p = 0.005. BDI/8 (6-13), BAI/15 (8-29) at baseline; BDI/7 (4-8), BAI/15 (7-27) at the 6-month control, NS. 15D score: 0.800 at baseline, 0.845 at the 6-month control, NS. WHODAS 2.0 score: 15 (7-33) at baseline, 11 (7-26) at the 6-month control, NS. Rumination could be evoked in manometry in six of nine (67%) patients at 6-month control.

Conclusions and inferences: Behavioral multidisciplinary therapy significantly reduces the self-assessed frequency of rumination. These patients have more depression, anxiety and a lower HRQoL compared to the normal population.