Behavioral treatment of the speaking stomach syndrome

The speaking stomach syndrome consists of persisting gurgling sounds in the gastric region, synchronous with breathing. A characteristic finding in patients suffering from this syndrome is an abnormal pattern of respiration, with extreme activity of the abdominal muscles and active involvement of the diaphragm. To teach the patient a different way of breathing using combined thoracic/abdominal respiration, with no, or hardly any, active contraction of the abdominal muscles, is an essential feature of treatment. This is accomplished in three steps. The treatment was successful in the three cases. Problems encountered in therapy are discussed.