Stroke survivors have access to a new advanced rehabilitation option as Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) now offers Vivistim Therapy, an innovative treatment designed to help patients regain function in their hands and arms even months or years after a stroke.
Vivistim is the first and only FDA-approved vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) device paired with rehabilitation therapy for stroke survivors experiencing arm and hand weakness. The Vivistim system includes a small, implanted device that delivers mild electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve while patients perform rehabilitation exercises. By pairing stimulation with specific movements, the therapy helps strengthen the brain pathways involved in movement and recovery.
“We’re excited to offer this innovative therapy and help more people regain function and confidence after stroke,” said Tristan Stani, MD, neurosurgeon with Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG). “During the procedure, two small incisions are used to implant the device in the upper left chest with a thin wire connecting it to the vagus nerve in the neck. Most patients return home the same day and experience minimal discomfort following the procedure.”
During rehabilitation sessions, therapists use a wireless transmitter to activate the implanted device, delivering brief pulses of stimulation that are synchronized with specific exercises to help reinforce the brain’s ability to relearn lost function. Clinical studies have shown that stroke survivors receiving Vivistim Therapy in combination with intensive rehabilitation achieved up to two to three times greater improvement in arm and hand function after 90 days compared to those receiving rehabilitation alone.
“Recovery from a stroke doesn’t end when a patient leaves the hospital,” said Susan Holman, director of Inpatient Neurosciences at NGHS. “For many survivors, arm and hand weakness can significantly impact independence and quality of life. Vivistim is the only therapy approved for people in the late chronic stage of stroke recovery, providing new hope for patients whose progress has plateaued. It gives us another tool to help patients continue making meaningful gains and regain function long after their stroke.”
Patients interested in Vivistim can request an appointment with NGPG Neurology to determine whether they are candidates for treatment. Learn more by calling 770-219-6520 or visiting ngpg.org/neurology.