NEW HAVEN, CT. — [July 21, 2026] — Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. Yale New Haven Hospital is bringing new hope to stroke survivors with the introduction of an innovative, FDA-approved device that enhances rehabilitation by combining traditional therapy with targeted nerve stimulation.
The technology uses vagus nerve stimulation to help patients recovering from stroke regain movement and function more effectively. By pairing mild electrical stimulation with physical and occupational therapy, clinicians can strengthen the brain’s ability to reestablish motor control and improve recovery outcomes.
The device, known as Vivistim, is particularly beneficial for individuals recovering from chronic ischemic stroke. Many stroke survivors continue to struggle with hand and arm function three to six months or longer after their stroke because the brain’s signals are not getting through properly. By stimulating the vagus nerve during therapy, the treatment helps strengthen existing neural connections and encourages new pathways to form, improving the brain’s ability to control movement.
Following a brief outpatient procedure, the device, about the size of a key fob, is implanted under the skin on the left side of the chest, similar to a cardiac pacemaker. A thin wire connects the device to the vagus nerve, one of the body’s most important nerves, which plays a key role in motor function. When activated, the device delivers gentle electrical pulses that help reinforce neural pathways while patients engage in rehabilitative exercises.
“This technology builds on decades of experience using vagus nerve stimulation safely in conditions like epilepsy,” said Yale New Haven Hospital Vascular Neurologist Rachel Forman, MD, assistant professor of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine “Now, we’re applying that same proven approach to stroke rehabilitation, helping patients retrain the brain and restore movement more effectively.”
Patients at Yale New Haven Hospital are already benefitting from the device. One stroke survivor has seen improvements in his ability to move his left hand and leg since receiving the implant. While he primarily uses the device during therapy sessions, he can also activate it independently when performing daily tasks.
“Having access to this technology gives patients another powerful tool in their recovery journey,” Dr. Forman said. “By engaging the brain at the same time as therapy, we’re able to enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation in a meaningful way.”
Yale New Haven Hospital’s adoption of vagus nerve stimulation therapy underscores its commitment to deliver advanced, patient-centered care and expand access to innovative treatments that improve quality of life. By integrating this innovative technology into its stroke rehabilitation programs, Yale New Haven Hospital is helping patients regain independence and achieve stronger recoveries.
Ischemic strokes account for more than 85 percent of all strokes, making them the most common type of stroke and a leading cause of long-term disability. A thrombotic stroke, the most common type of ischemic stroke, occurs when a blood clot forms in an artery in the brain, disrupting blood flow and causing brain cell damage. Symptoms may include sudden numbness, confusion, difficulty speaking and loss of coordination. Although emergency treatment can restore blood flow, many patients face lasting impairments that require ongoing rehabilitation.
Stoke is the fifth leading cause of death and many people do not know the signs. The acronym BE FAST is a reminder of the signs that someone is having a stroke. The best practice is to call 911 immediately:
Balance Loss
Eye (Vision) Changes
Face Drooping
Arm Weakness
Speech Difficulty
Time to call 911
For more information about stroke care and rehabilitation services at Yale New Haven Hospital, visit https://www.ynhh.org/services/neurology-neurosurgery/stroke
Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH), part of Yale New Haven Health, is a nationally recognized, 1,541-bed, not-for-profit hospital serving as the primary teaching hospital for the Yale School of Medicine (YSM). Founded as the fourth voluntary hospital in the U.S. in 1826, today, YNHH has two New Haven-based campuses, and also includes Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital and Smilow Cancer Hospital. YNHH has received three Magnet designations from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor of nursing excellence. YNHH has a combined medical staff of more than 5,400 university and community physicians practicing in more than 100 specialties. www.ynhh.org
