Marshall Health Network adds advanced therapy for stroke survivors

Stroke survivors who continue to experience arm or hand weakness now have access to an advanced treatment option through Marshall Health Network (MHN). Vivistim® Paired VNS™ Therapy is an FDA-approved treatment designed to help eligible patients improve arm and hand function following an ischemic stroke.

To help stroke survivors learn whether they may be candidates for the therapy, MHN will host a Vivistim Therapy Screening Day from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, at the Robert and Lena Shell Outpatient Medical Pavilion in Huntington.

Vivistim combines gentle vagus nerve stimulation with rehabilitation therapy. During rehabilitation exercises, the implanted device delivers mild stimulation to the vagus nerve intended to help the brain strengthen neural pathways involved in arm and hand movement.

The therapy is designed for adults who have experienced an ischemic stroke and continue to experience moderate to severe impairment affecting arm or hand function. Eligible patients must have some active movement in the wrist and fingers and be able to participate in rehabilitation therapy.

“Stroke recovery is different for every patient, and we want to make sure survivors know that reaching a plateau does not necessarily mean their recovery journey is over,” said Dr. Heather Pinckard-Dover, Marshall Health Network neurosurgeon and associate professor at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. “Offering Vivistim locally gives eligible patients access to an advanced therapy while allowing them to remain close to their families and support systems.”

Stroke survivors and their families interested in learning more about Vivistim are encouraged to attend the screening event. The screening will help determine whether an individual meets the initial criteria for Vivistim therapy; a screening does not guarantee that a patient will qualify. Those identified as potential candidates will undergo additional clinical evaluation to determine whether Vivistim is appropriate for them.

Vivistim is intended to be used in conjunction with rehabilitation therapy. Patients who qualify undergo an outpatient procedure to implant the device, followed by a personalized rehabilitation program that pairs vagus nerve stimulation with specific, repetitive movements to improve arm and hand function.

The Shell Outpatient Medical Pavillion is located at 1340 Hal Greer Blvd. in building 2. Patients may take the elevator to outpatient therapy on the third floor. The following QR Code may be scanned to register for the free screening. 

For more information about Vivistim Therapy and stroke recovery services at Marshall Health Network, visit marshallhealth.org/services/vivistim-paired-vns-therapy or call Marshall Neuroscience at 304-691-1787.