The Comparison of Musculoskeletal Variables in Females With and Without Functional Abdominal Bloating: A Protocol Study

Background: Functional abdominal bloating (FAB) is a subjective sensation of increased abdominal pressure. Musculoskeletal factors may be related to functional abdominal bloating, but this association has not been investigated. The present study compares trunk-related musculoskeletal factors (spinal alignment and abdominal muscle function) in females with and without FAB. Methods: This is a protocol study of a case-control study that will be conducted in females with (n=45) and without FAB (n=45), aged 18-60 years. A specially designed load cell setup and a flexicurve ruler will be used for the measurements of static abdominal muscle force and endurance, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis, respectively. Additionally, skeletal muscle mass will be measured using body composition analysis. Depending on data distribution, an independent t-test or Mann-Whitney test will be used to determine differences in variables between the two groups. A multiple logistic regression will be used to investigate the adjusted associations of the trunk-related musculoskeletal variables and associations of the trunk-related musculoskeletal variables with functional abdominal bloating.