Carilion Clinic in Virginia has become the first in the state to offer a groundbreaking new treatment for post-stroke patients aimed at restoring upper limb function. The treatment involves vagus nerve stimulation with the Vivistim implant, which when paired with occupational therapy, has shown to improve a patient’s arm and hand function significantly more than therapy alone.
Dr. Justin Weppner, section chief of Carilion Roanoke Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, explains that stimulating the vagus nerve promotes healing and plasticity in the brain, helping to create new networks around damaged tissue to aid in relearning tasks lost due to a stroke. Patients have seen improvements within one to two weeks of therapy.
The FDA approved Vivistim in 2021, and Carilion Clinic began offering the treatment to patients in May, marking a significant milestone in stroke rehabilitation. During occupational therapy sessions, therapists send signals to the implant while patients perform functional tasks, such as buttoning a shirt, to strengthen neural connections and enhance recovery.
Weppner emphasizes the importance of collaboration among Carilion’s neurosurgeons, physiatrists, and occupational therapists in providing this innovative approach to stroke therapy, which they believe can greatly improve the quality of life for stroke patients. The introduction of this new treatment marks a significant advancement in stroke rehabilitation, offering hope for improved outcomes for those recovering from strokes.
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