Rare belching disorder could be treated with singing, study hints — but not everyone is convinced

A rare condition causing excessive burping may be treated with singing therapy, according to a new study. Researchers suggest this method could offer more engaging benefits compared to traditional diaphragmatic breathing exercises. Supragastric belching, which involves rapid air intake from the esophagus and expulsion as a belch, is a learned behavioral disorder often triggered by abdominal discomfort or reflux symptoms.

It typically begins as a coping mechanism, leading to excessive belching when it becomes habitual. While rare among the general population, it is more prevalent in those with digestive disorders. The study, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, involved 72 patients with supragastric belching at two hospitals in China.

Participants were randomly assigned to either one week of singing therapy or diaphragmatic breathing therapy. Singing therapy consisted of singing Chinese folk songs for five-minute sessions, three times daily, while breathing therapy involved guided breathing exercises targeting a volume of 80 decibels. After one week, 72% of the singing group reported a half or more reduction in belching frequency, compared to 39% in the breathing group.

At one month, 50% of the singing group still met the treatment success criteria, while 31% of the breathing group did. Singing therapy was found to yield greater improvements in quality of life and belching relief compared to the breathing group. However, some experts remain skeptical about the study's findings. Dr. Daniel Sifrim, a gastroenterologist not involved in the study, questioned whether all participants were definitively diagnosed with supragastric belching and pointed out the lack of esophageal impedance monitoring in the research.

He emphasized that singing therapy addresses only the behavioral aspect, without addressing the underlying cognitive triggers that cause excessive belching.