Home-based Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) for IBS Pain

This pilot randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, adherence, safety, and potential implementation barriers of home-based taVNS intervention in YAs (18-29 years old) diagnosed with IBS. A two-site, two-arm, parallel, proof-of-concept randomized trial will be conducted to assess the feasibility of using the Active taVNS intervention compared with Sham taVNS in managing IBS-related pain and symptoms. Eighty YAs meeting the Rome IV diagnostic criteria of IBS will be recruited and receive either Active or Sham taVNS for pain and symptom management, along with self-management education and their usual treatment and care. After enrollment and a 2-week baseline run-in period, participants will be randomized to the Active or Sham taVNS with a 6-week treatment (30 minutes per session, twice daily for 6 weeks) and be followed up for another 6 weeks of post-treatment. Investigators will assess feasibility through recruitment rates, adherence, factors influencing adherence, safety, satisfaction, and collection of patient-reported outcomes.