Griffin Health Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation offers specialized therapy for individuals recovering from a stroke who have been living with moderate to severe upper arm impairment.
When combined with rehab therapy, the revolutionary Vivistim technology helps generate two to three times more hand and arm function than stand-alone therapy. Individuals who suffered a stroke six months to 10 or more years ago can experience improved functional mobility during daily tasks like dressing, meal prep and doing laundry.
How Vivistim Works
The Vivistim device – a small medical device implanted under the skin in a patient’s upper left chest area during an outpatient procedure – simultaneously pairs stroke therapy exercises with brain stimulation via the vagus nerve. This helps create and strengthen neural connections which improve upper limb function and increase the relevance of physical or occupational therapy.
During in-clinic rehab therapy at Griffin Health, a therapist uses a wireless transmitter to communicate with proprietary software that signals the Vivistim device. The device delivers a gentle pulse to the vagus nerve while the patient performs a specific task such as putting on a hat or cutting food. At home, the patient can swipe a magnet activator over the device to activate the system during daily activities and exercise. The at-home Vivistim therapy in conjunction with the in-clinic rehabilitation helps stroke survivors get back to doing what matters most to them while enhancing their quality of life.
Who Can Benefit from Vivistim
Ischemic stroke survivors experiencing ongoing hand and arm impairment six months to 10 years post-stroke are ideal candidates if they:
- Have moderate to severe upper extremity impairment
- Have plateaued from previous ongoing rehabilitation
- Maintain some active arm motor function, including in the wrist, thumb and at least two fingers
- Demonstrate adequate expressive and receptive communication skills
- Have the ability to follow two-step commands
For more information, call 203-732-7445.