title: Experimental modification of digestive pathology.
abstract: Two experiments using human volunteers with gastric disorders were performed. The pH level of the subjects' stomach contents was measured with special electrodes in a nasogastric tube. In each experiment, some of the subjects received true feedback (TFG), while others received reverse, or false, feedback (RFG) about the pH of their stomach contents. In the first experiment, giving feedback of pH increases to 27 subjects during the first training session did not result in an alteration of stomach pH or acid concentration. It did, however, result in decreased volume of acid secretion in the TFG (9 subjects). In the second experiment, 10 training sessions were conducted with 12 subjects. 7 in the TFG, 5 in the RFG. The TFG showed increased stomach pH and decreased acid secretion volume, but no changes in acid concentration compared to the RFG.
mesh_terms: D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000628:therapy*