CommonSpirit – Memorial Hospital announced on May 8 that it is the first health care facility in Tennessee to offer an FDA-approved therapy for stroke survivors experiencing arm and hand weakness.
The new treatment combines vagus nerve stimulation with physical rehabilitation and aims to improve upper limb function in people who have had an ischemic stroke. According to the hospital, studies show that patients using this device along with rehabilitation achieved two to three times greater improvement in arm and hand function compared to those receiving only rehabilitation, with benefits lasting more than a year.
“We are excited to bring this therapy to Chattanooga and to stroke survivors across Tennessee,” said Janelle Reilly, Market President, CommonSpirit, Tennessee and Georgia. “It helps patients regain movement and independence, enhancing their quality of life.”
The hospital reports that the first patient recently underwent an outpatient procedure for implantation of the small device. Ranjith Babu, MD, a neurosurgeon at CommonSpirit – Neuroscience Institute – Chattanooga performed the procedure. The therapy was launched through collaboration with Teresa Kimberley, PT, PhD, FAPTA—director of the Brain Recovery Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital—who said: “Many people still have serious physical limitations after a stroke, despite advances in emergency stroke treatment. This therapy has changed that. I am excited that people in the Tennessee Valley now have a new way to improve their quality of life through our work launching this technology at Memorial Hospital.”
The process includes three parts: implantation of a small device during an outpatient procedure; therapist-led intensive rehabilitation sessions where therapists use a wireless remote to activate the device as patients perform tasks; and self-activated home therapy using a magnet while practicing daily activities. Other vagus nerve stimulation devices have been approved by federal authorities for epilepsy and depression. This system specifically targets chronic stroke survivors who continue experiencing moderate or severe deficits six months or more after their initial event.
Memorial Hospital’s Neuroscience Institute is recognized as being involved in developing new technologies for neurologic diseases such as stroke. The hospital is part of CommonSpirit Health system—which includes featured hospitals, care sites and freestanding outpatient imaging centers—and has received recognition for its commitment to quality and patient safety from leading organizations according to the official website. Chi Memorial Hospital Georgia forms part of this system alongside three hospitals and 65 care sites serving Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.
Janelle Reilly serves as president of Chi Memorial Hospital Georgia according to the official website.
