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Neurostimulation Relieves GI Pain in Teens
Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol; 2017 Oct; Kovacic, et al
Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation (PENFS) may help alleviate abdominal pain among teens who have been diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorders, according to a recent randomized double-blind, sham controlled trial.
- 115 adolescents aged 11 to 18 were years were enrolled in the study and divided into 2 groups, with the PENFS cohort receiving electrical stimulation in the external ear by means of an FDA approved device called Neuro-Stim. The control group underwent a sham procedure that did not involve an electric charge.
- Patients in the PENFS group reported more of a reduction in their worst pain (median score 5.0 vs 7.0).
- PENFS patients also experienced a more sustained benefit from therapy (median follow-up 9.2 vs 7.0 weeks).
- The composite pain score, derived from the Pain Frequency Severity Duration scale, was also better in the PENFS group: median 24.5 to 8.4 over time, vs 22.8 to 15.2.
Citation:
Kovacic K, Hainsworth K, Sood M, et al. Neurostimulation for abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders in adolescents: A randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017;2:727-737. doi:10.1016/S2468-1253(17)30253-4.