Ear device could ease gut woes in kids with bendy joint disorder

NCT ID NCT05212129

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Medical College of Wisconsin Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study is testing whether a small, battery-powered device worn on the ear can reduce gastrointestinal symptoms in children aged 10-18 with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and related autonomic nervous system problems. The device, called IB-Stim, delivers gentle electrical pulses to a nerve in the ear to stimulate the vagus nerve. Researchers will measure changes in stomach symptoms, gastric function, and body awareness over six weeks. The goal is to find a non-drug treatment for the common gut issues that accompany hEDS.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: percutaneous vagal nerve stimulation device (IB-Stim)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a drug-free way to reduce stomach and bowel symptoms in children with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage, open-label trial with no placebo group, so results may be influenced by expectation. The device is already FDA-approved for other uses, but its benefit for this specific condition is unproven.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

autonomic nervous system disorder digestive system disorder Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, hypermobility type postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM IMBALANCE FUNCTIONAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS HYPERMOBILE EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME POSTURAL ORTHOSTATIC TACHYCARDIA SYNDROME

Contacts and locations

Locations

Medical College of Wisconsin
RECRUITING

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, United States

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