Technology helps restaurant owner recover after severe stroke
Summary
Tommy Fello, a restaurant owner who had a severe stroke, improved his arm and hand function using a new FDA-approved implant called the Vivistim System. The device sends gentle electrical pulses to a nerve in the neck to help the brain rewire itself during rehabilitation, leading to better recovery of movement.Key Facts
- Tommy Fello had a stroke that left his left arm and leg numb and weak.
- Traditional therapy helped only a little, and he experienced pain and limited movement.
- The Vivistim System is an implant that stimulates the vagus nerve during rehab exercises.
- The vagus nerve controls many automatic body functions and can influence brain recovery.
- The device is controlled wirelessly by a therapist while the patient performs rehab tasks.
- Vagus nerve stimulation enhances neuroplasticity, helping the brain form new connections.
- A clinical trial showed the device led to 2-3 times more improvement than rehab alone.
- The Vivistim System is for stroke survivors with moderate to severe arm and hand problems six months or more after their stroke.
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