IB-Stim Standard of Care for Functional Abdominal Pain

The IB-Stim is a non-surgical device that works by sending gentle electrical impulses into cranial nerve bundles located in the ear. This stimulation targets brain areas that process pain and helps reduce functional abdominal pain associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IB-Stim is a 5-day (120 hours) treatment typically worn for 4 consecutive weeks. Your healthcare provider will discuss your specific treatment plan.

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IB-Stim Patient
95%

At the end of the 4-week study, 95% of adolescents stated they would recommend the treatment to family or friends.

81%

With IB-Stim, 81% of patients had improvement in global symptoms with no serious adverse events, and minimal to no side effects.

IB-Stim is a non-surgical device placed peripherally

What to expect with IB-Stim

  • IB-Stim is a non-surgical device placed peripherally (it is not permanently implanted).
  • Medical providers are trained to place the IB-Stim through NeurAxis Certification.
  • Once the provider is trained, the device can be placed in the outpatient clinic and can be removed by the provider in the clinic or the patient at home.
  • IB-Stim stays on for a total of 5-days to allow delivery of gentle electrical pulses to nerves below the skin that access the central nervous system.

  • A study in adolescents showed greater improvement in functional abdominal pain and global symptom improvement with every week of treatment (up to 4 weeks).

  • At the end of the 4-week study, 95% of adolescents stated they would recommend the treatment to family or friends.

How does IB-Stim work?

Please watch our informative video for an overview of the IB-Stim process.

Ver la versión en español del vídeo.

What you can do while wearing the IB-Stim device

  • Attend school and extracurricular activities.
  • Exercise or play non-contact sports. Use a towel to wipe away any excessive sweat around device.
  • Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions to remove your device after 5 days.
  • Reinforce the leads with provided supplies if necessary. Take a photo immediately following placement so you can see where all leads need to be.
  • Shower, using a dry washcloth or plastic cup to cover device.
  • Wear ear buds or headphones.
  • Travel. You can pass through a TSA checkpoint using the Patient Information Card which will be provided.

What you should avoid while wearing the IB-Stim device

  • Do not wear metal earrings.
  • Do not use a hot tub or sauna.
  • Do not swim. The device should not be immersed in water. It will not work properly.
  • Do not remove the device unless your healthcare provider advised you to remove the device.
  • Do not play high contact sports or wear a helmet. Some contact sports could cause dislodgment of device (helmets can cause excessive sweating).
  • Do not have an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan while wearing device. IB-Stim must be removed before entering an MRI scanning room.

Will insurance cover my IB-Stim device?

The level of coverage and rules for coverage of the IB-Stim device will depend on your specific insurance policy. The IB-Stim Guidance and Patient Support (GPS) team can help you and your healthcare provider understand your insurance coverage and financial assistance options. If you have questions regarding insurance or coverage for IB-Stim, work with your healthcare provider. The IB-Stim GPS team is committed to adolescents who have been diagnosed with Functional Abdominal Pain associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and will assist you as needed.

IB-Stim

Ask Your Doctor

Ask your child’s doctor if IB-Stim is right for your child using this Doctor Discussion Guide.

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A New Standard Of Care

*The IB-Stim is a percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulator (PENFS) system intended to be used in patients 8-21 years of age with functional abdominal pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The IB-Stim is intended to be used for 120 hours per week, using 1 device per week for 4 consecutive weeks, through application to branches of Cranial Nerves V, VII, IX and X, and the occipital nerves identified by transillumination, as an aid in the reduction of pain when combined with other therapies for IBS DEN180057.