Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Stroke Rehabilitation

A neurostimulation device that helps stroke survivors regain their independence and improve their quality of life.

After experiencing a stroke, nearly 60 percent of survivors continue to suffer from persistent impaired upper limb function and weakness. Mount Sinai offers a safe and effective breakthrough technology that improves upper limb function for stroke survivors who have not yet regained hand and arm mobility after active rehabilitation therapy, even years later. Within the Enhanced Stroke Recovery Program, neurosurgeons, neurologists, and physical therapists collaborate to offer vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) during physical therapy to improve upper limb function for stroke survivors. When used in combination with in-clinic physical therapy, the VNS stimulation generates two to three times more hand and arm function for stroke survivors than physical therapy alone after six weeks of in-clinic therapy. Even if a stroke happened years ago, patients may experience increased hand and arm function. Users report improvement across numerous quality of life measures, including:

Increased functional mobility
Improved self-care
Positive daily living

What is Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)?

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is a form neuromodulation that is also used as a treatment option for several neurological conditions. It’s FDA-approved to treat specific cases of epilepsy, treatment-resistant depression, and impaired upper limb function caused by an ischemic stroke. Less invasive than deep brain stimulation, VNS increases neuroplasticity by sending electrical pulses to the brain through the vagus nerve, a part of the autonomic nervous system that controls involuntary body functions. Specifically for survivors of stroke, the VNS electrical pulses release neuromodulators in the brain that create or strengthen neural connections to enhance the relevance of physical therapy and improve upper limb function.

Who can benefit from Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) system for stroke?

Chronic ischemic stroke survivors who have been active in physical therapy, but have not yet regained hand and arm function
People who have experienced a stroke, months, even years ago, who continue to experience moderate to severe hand and arm function

How does the VNS therapy for stroke work?

Implantation of the VNS device

FDA-approved, a small medical device that could fit in the palm of your hand is surgically implanted under the skin in the upper left chest area during an outpatient procedure
Patients are discharged home the same day

Pairing VNS during in-clinic rehabilitation therapy

After a one-week recovery from implantation, the stroke survivor continues in-clinic physical therapy
During physical therapy, a therapist will use a wireless transmitter that communicates with software to signal the implanted device to deliver a gentle pulse to the vagus nerve while the stroke survivor performs specific tasks (Ex: Flipping a coin, shaking a hand, cutting food, etc.)
The simultaneous pairing of exercise with vagus nerve stimulation releases neuromodulators that create or strengthen neural connections to improve upper limb function and increase the relevance of physical therapy

Magnet activated VNS for at-home therapy

While practicing rehabilitation exercises or performing routine tasks at home, stroke survivors may swipe the device magnet activator over the implant area to activate the system
Paired VNS Therapy during daily activities, such as folding laundry, preparing a meal or getting dressed, helps stroke survivors improve what matters to them mos

Enhanced Stroke Recovery Program Faculty

Christopher P. Kellner, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery

Fedor E. Panov, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery

Faculty

David F. Putrino, PhD, PT
Associate Professor, Rehabilitation and Human Performance

Jenna M. Tosto, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, Rehabilitation and Human Performance

Phone:	212-241-2606212-241-2606

Additional Info:
VNSforStroke@mountsinai.org