New Hope After a Stroke:
Vivistim^® Offers a Path to Recovery

If you’ve suffered a stroke, you may know the frustration of trying to make a cup of tea only to spill it as you lift it from the saucer. Or you might want to get back to hobbies like painting, playing piano, or gardening.

A stroke changes your life in an instant, often resulting in lasting challenges with control in your hands and arms. While rehabilitation therapy can help patients regain some function, many hit a plateau in their recovery, struggling with everyday tasks and the activities they once loved.

If you’ve suffered a stroke, you may know the frustration of trying to make a cup of tea only to spill it as you lift it from the saucer. Or you might want to get back to hobbies like painting, playing piano, or gardening.

A stroke changes your life in an instant, often resulting in lasting challenges with control in your hands and arms. While rehabilitation therapy can help patients regain some function, many hit a plateau in their recovery, struggling with everyday tasks and the activities they once loved.

A New Solution for Stroke Survivors

A groundbreaking technology called the Vivistim® Paired VNS™ System is empowering survivors to rebuild strength and dexterity, even years after a stroke. In combination with rehabilitation therapy, the implant uses neurostimulation to help retrain the brain, empowering you to move forward with confidence.

Dr. Ronald P. Benitez is a neurosurgeon at Atlantic Brain and Spine (ABS), known for pioneering revolutionary treatments for cerebrovascular patients. He’s a leader in the emerging field of neuromodulation – the electrical stimulation of nerves to aid in recovery – and was the first surgeon in the state of New Jersey to implant a Vivistim device in a patient.

“Stimulating the vagus nerve during rehabilitation is an incredible approach that opens new doors for drastically improving the quality of stroke patients’ lives,” said Dr. Benitez. “Atlantic Brain and Spine is proud to offer this innovative treatment to our patients as part of our multidisciplinary approach to stroke rehabilitation.”

Understanding Vivistim and Paired Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

Traditionally, when you suffer a stroke, you must go through extensive rehabilitation therapy to rebuild your abilities and redevelop critical skills. However, many reach a frustrating plateau or even begin to lose some of their recovered mobility over time.

Vivistim, the first major innovation for chronic stroke recovery in 30 years, offers patients a new way to enhance the rehabilitation process and improve long-term outcomes.

The FDA-approved device is implanted in the upper chest and neck during an outpatient procedure and connects to the vagus nerve, a key communication link between the brain and body.

Vivistim is activated during physical or occupational therapy, gently stimulating the motor cortex to develop neural pathways and improve recovery outcomes – a process called paired vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy.

The Vivistim device connects to the vagus nerve and delivers gentle stimulation to the motor cortex during paired VNS therapy.

The more you repeat an action, like tying a shoelace or brushing your hair, during paired VNS therapy, the stronger the neural connections related to those actions become. The device can even be used at home, supporting progress during everyday activities.

“In combination with rehab therapy, Vivistim significantly enhances hand and arm function – delivering two to three times more functionality than therapy alone,” said Dr. Benitez. “Even stroke survivors who have lived with upper limb impairment for years can see meaningful improvements in tasks like getting dressed or cooking a meal.”

Paired VNS therapy can help patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke and continue to experience hand and arm impairments even after traditional therapy. Vivistim enhances the effectiveness of rehabilitation with sustained functional gains observed over months or years.

Real-World Results with Vivistim

At Atlantic Health System’s Comprehensive Stroke Center, Dr. Benitez is leading efforts to expand access to Vivistim. He oversaw the largest real-world cohort of stroke survivors using paired VNS therapy, measurably demonstrating its effectiveness.

The study followed 25 Vivistim patients between the ages of 40 and 80 with moderate to severe motor impairments up to 11 years after a stroke. None experienced any surgical complications or infections. They received six weeks of paired VNS therapy after receiving the implant.

The results were promising: patients showed an average improvement of 10.2 points on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) scale. This represents significant functional gains over their scores prior to receiving Vivistim and proves the efficacy of the treatment for chronic stroke patients.

One patient, Kathy R., had struggled with daily activities for years, but began to regain motor function as a result of six weeks of paired VNS therapy. She even carried a laundry basket up the stairs for the first time since her stroke.

Other patients also had remarkable improvements, regaining independence in activities like using utensils, getting dressed, and even returning to hobbies like knitting. These results lasted long after therapy was complete, with several patients reporting sustained functional gains beyond the six-week treatment window. Remarkably, one patient continued to show improved progress almost two years after their initial Vivistim treatment.

The Future of Stroke Rehabilitation is Here

When you have a stroke, the future can look uncertain – many people feel like their dreams are put on hold by their physical limitations. But Vivistim offers new hope—and it’s quickly becoming the new standard of care for stroke rehabilitation.

Adoption of the technology is growing across the country. Vivistim is already used in 20% of Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Centers and 50% of Becker’s 100 Great Neuro and Spine Programs. Atlantic Brain and Spine continues to expand access to paired VNS therapy, helping more stroke survivors achieve better recovery outcomes.

While Vivistim is relatively new to the market – it received FDA approval in 2021 – research into the long-term benefits and expanded use cases is ongoing. Dr. Benitez’s work contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the therapy’s effectiveness.

“We want to make sure our patients have access to the latest, safest treatments available,” he said. “And in return, we’re able to demonstrate how Vivistim effectively enhances outcomes for stroke survivors.”

ABS and Atlantic Health System are committed to bringing cutting-edge treatments to stroke patients and are paving the way for greater access to Vivistim therapy in hospitals and stroke rehabilitation centers across the region.

If you or a loved one has experienced an ischemic stroke more than six months ago and reached a plateau in recovery, Vivistim may be a good option to discuss with your neurosurgeon. Visit atlanticstrokecare.com for more information.