Small wearable device delivers big hope for kids with gut pain

IB-Stim fits behind the ear and sends electrical impulses to nerve bundles, rerouting pain pathways for kids with irritable bowel syndrome.  

Before irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) invaded her life, Taylor was a classic high-achieving teen: straight As, track, dance, student government. Then she began having nausea, constipation and shooting pains in her stomach.  
 
“My stomach hurt so bad and I was so drained,” said Taylor. “I would get in the car after school and just start crying.” 
 
Medications offered Taylor limited relief, but she’s recently had success with IB-Stim, a small device that fits behind her ear and sends electrical impulses to her nerve bundles. The nerves activate brain areas involved in processing pain, rerouting the “pain pathways”.  
 
For nearly two years, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland has been the only medical facility in the Bay Area that offers IB-Stim, which is meant for kids ages 11-18 with chronic abdominal pain. By the time most kids try it, they have been through years of other treatment such as laxatives and probiotics, as well as tests for common irritations and allergies, such as wheat and dairy. 
 
IB-Stim is worn for five days, taken off for two days, then worn for another five. The cycle repeats for a total of four weeks. To activate it, a physician first places the main device, which is about the size of an AirPod, behind the ear. She then affixes several electrodes, each of which has a tiny needle, around the ear and connects them to the device.  
 
Some kids feel relief within days; for others, the response isn’t fully felt until after the last cycle of treatment. Research shows IB-Stim is effective in 80% of patients. Coverage for IB-Stim varies by insurance, and costs about $4,000 out of pocket. 
  
As for Taylor, she’s back to her busy schedule, and looking forward to college next fall.  
 
“I think IB-Stim is a good thing to try. You have nothing to lose and there’s a good chance it will help,” Taylor said. “Plus, it gives you more hope and, in this situation, hope is half the battle.” 

About UCSF Health: UCSF Health is recognized worldwide for its innovative patient care, reflecting the latest medical knowledge, advanced technologies and pioneering research. It includes the flagship UCSF Medical Center, which is a top-ranked specialty hospital, as well as UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, with campuses in San Francisco and Oakland; Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital; UCSF Benioff Children’s Physicians; and the UCSF Faculty Practice. These hospitals serve as the academic medical center of the University of California, San Francisco, which is world-renowned for its graduate-level health sciences education and biomedical research. UCSF Health has affiliations with hospitals and health organizations throughout the Bay Area. Visit https://www.ucsfhealth.org/. Follow UCSF Health on Facebook or on Twitter

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