https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27363985

Welcome to a new week everyone. We always love to share new research with you on a Monday, and think the paper linked here is an important one, making a pleasing mention of yoga as a possible non-pharmacological method of managing abdominal pain in children.

Abdominal pain and dysfunction are no fun at any age, and can be particularly distressing and confusing for young children. Abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorder (AP-FGID) comprises of 4 main conditions: functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal migraine and functional abdominal pain.There is limited evidence for pharmacological therapies and so researchers are increasing looking for alternative interventions for children suffering in these ways.

This comprehensive review article explores non-pharmacological management of AP-FGID based on the current literature including systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, cohort and case control studies. From the articles reviewed, researchers feel that managing AP-FGIDs should include non-pharmacological interventions, which can be delivered through lifestyle and dietary changes and bio-psychosocial therapies. Dietary interventions will vary depending on the type of AP-FGID. Bio-psychosocial therapies such as hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and yoga, which aim at stress reduction, are particularly expounded.

Given the increasing evidence for use of non-pharmacological interventions in children with APFGID we hope that yoga researchers and therapists will continue to explore how best they/we can serve this population. Have a very good week everyone!