Cincinnati Children’s Named an IB-Stim Center of Excellence
Post Date: August 21, 2024 | Publish Date:
The Cincinnati Children’s Neurogastroenterology and Motility Disorders team has been named an IB-Stim Center of Excellence by the medical technology company, NeurAxis.
IB-Stim is a non-surgical treatment for abdominal pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) that is typically worn for five consecutive days each week for four weeks. This non-surgical device sends gentle electrical impulses into cranial nerve bundles located in the ear and targets brain areas that process pain associated with the syndrome.
Cincinnati Children’s was one of the first pediatric hospitals to offer IB-Stim through the efforts of Khalil El-Chammas, MD, in 2017. El-Chammas, associate director of the Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center; Neha Santucci, MD, director, Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction Program; and Kahleb Graham, MD, physician in the Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center, are currently providing treatments.
Through Santucci’s NIH-funded program and research endeavors over six years, Cincinnati Children’s has expanded knowledge of this device and how it has improved care for patients. Auricular percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation (PENFS) has improved functioning, abdominal pain, nausea, psychological comorbidities, mechano-sensitivity and gut microbial changes in children with disorders of gut-brain interaction. The research has demonstrated long-term effects lasting up to a year as well as potential synergy with behavioral treatments.
“Our current NIH-funded study is analyzing the effects of PENFS on sleep and nocturnal autonomic function,” says Santucci. “Our multidisciplinary DGBI clinic integrates cutting-edge treatments such as PENFS with behavioral and dietary approaches to provide streamlined care and improve patient-centered outcomes in this challenging population.”
NeurAxis’ Centers of Excellence are designated based on common elements that include exceptional clinical knowledge and/or research development related to PENFS. These may be used by patients or patient advocacy groups who are seeking centers with expertise in the use of IB-STIM technology to treat children.
“At our center we conduct novel research on the benefits of the IB-Stim technology and train clinical fellows in the device placement. Most importantly, we also provide a state-of-the-art patient treatment modality that works in conjunction with, or sometimes in place of, medical therapy,” says Graham.
According to NeurAxis, “Cincinnati Children’s embodies the pioneering spirit of pediatric care. This recognition is a testament to their comprehensive approach and dedication to advancing medical treatments through compassionate patient care.”
