Diaphragmatic BreathingDiaphragmatic Breathing for the Treatment of Bloating and Distension

Patients will complete the Mayo Bloating Questionnaire (MBQ) before referral to a physical therapist for in diaphragmatic breathing (DB) techniques over a 30-minute session. The patient will be instructed to complete 5-10 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing twice a day for a period of 4 weeks. At the end of the 4-week follow up period, patients will repeat the MBQ and self-report their adherence to daily diaphragmatic breathing.

REDCap will be used to administer the Mayo Bloating Questionnaire (MBQ) and collect self-reported compliance to diaphragmatic breathing (DB) exercises over a 4 week follow up period. After completion of the MBQ, the patient will be taught DB techniques by an individual physical therapist face to face over a 30-minute session. The patient will be instructed to complete 5-10 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing twice a day for a period of 4 weeks. Patients will receive a telephone call and electronic health record portal message to check progress and answer any questions. At the end of the 4-week follow up period, patients will repeat the MBQ and self-report their adherence to daily diaphragmatic breathing. The questionnaire will include prompts investigating perceived side effects and attitudes towards therapy, willingness to perform DB therapy, likelihood to attempt self-guided DB in the future, and if the participant would recommend the therapy to a friend.