Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation (PENFS; e.g., IB‑Stim/Neuro‑Stim) is addressed as a treatment option for irritable bowel syndrome and functional abdominal pain primarily in pediatric and adolescent patients (generally ages ~8–21 years, with key trial data in 11–18-year-olds). Coverage is narrowly limited: PENFS is intended as adjunctive therapy using the studied regimen (about 120 hours/week or device worn 5 days/week for 4 weeks) with outcomes monitored at ~3 months, and use outside the specified age range, as sole therapy, beyond the studied regimen, or given the small, short, demographically limited evidence base is considered experimental/unproven and not covered.

"First-line treatment for IBS is dietary changes."

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