For the up to 60% of survivors suffering from persistent upper limb impairments at six months following stroke, Paired VNS therapy offers1:
VNS activates the brain’s attention system by prompting the release of neuromodulators—acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin.3
These neuromodulators interact with the motor neurons being activated during rehab, facilitating lasting structural changes.
In preclinical stroke models, VNS combined with rehab enhanced plasticity of brain motor connections that was 3-6 fold greater than rehab without VNS.3
The device is placed during a short outpatient procedure, typically by a Neurosurgeon or ENT Physician. The generator is placed under the skin of the chest and the lead is tunneled from the neck to the generator.
The therapist uses a button to activate the neurostimulator repeatedly during rehab tasks. Most patients do not feel the stimulation.
Patients can activate Vivistim at home during rehab or daily activities using a special magnet.
The big advantage of the Vivistim System is that it's very easy to integrate into our clinical practice. The Vivistim System is a fully enclosed implantable device, once it's inserted, it's there and the therapist really needs very minimal training to learn how to use it. And in many ways, they conduct a normal therapy session with the device activated and with the nerve being stimulated at, at relevant times throughout the session.
Instructions for Use
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