2026 NCH Enduring: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) for Stroke Recovery: Clinical Integration & Best Practices

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Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) for Stroke Recovery: Clinical Integration & Best Practices is an evidence-based educational activity designed to introduce clinicians to the FDA-approved VNS therapy systems and their role in post-stroke upper-limb motor rehabilitation. This session will review current scientific data supporting VNS for chronic ischemic stroke, patient selection criteria, surgical considerations, therapy timing, and multidisciplinary care pathways. Participants will explore case-based scenarios illustrating referral workflows, therapy optimization, and outcome expectations. The goal of this activity is to enhance clinician competence in identifying eligible patients, coordinating care across therapy disciplines, and integrating VNS into stroke-recovery treatment plans to improve patient function and long-term quality of life.

1. Identify appropriate patient selection criteria for Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) based on current clinical evidence and FDA-approved indications.
2. Differentiate between eligible and ineligible post-stroke patients by reviewing functional status, timing of stroke, rehabilitation history, and neurological assessments.
3. Describe the coordinated workflow for VNS therapy, including referral pathways, pre-operative evaluation, surgical steps, and the integration of paired rehabilitative therapy.
4. Apply case-based decision-making to determine optimal timing for VNS placement and rehabilitation scheduling within multidisciplinary care teams.
5. Communicate the expected benefits, limitations, risks, and outcome expectations of VNS therapy to patients and family members in an evidence-based, patient-centered manner.
6. Integrate VNS therapy into existing stroke-recovery treatment plans by collaborating effectively with neurology, ENT/neurosurgery, PT/OT/SLP, and care-coordination teams.

Physician Credit

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) through the joint providership of Endeavor Health: Edward Elmhurst Hospitals Accredited CME Program and Northwest Community Hospital. Endeavor Health: Edward-Elmhurst Hospitals is accredited by the Illinois State Medical Society to provided accredited continuing medical education. Endeavor Health: Edward-Elmhurst Hospitals designates this live for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Other Participant Credit

Other participants will receive a certificate of participation. For information on the applicability and acceptance of certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME/ISMS, please consult your professional licensing board.

Disclaimer

The recommendations contained in this resource are not intended to define conduct that is appropriate in every case, should not be considered as establishing any standard of care, and do not constitute legal advice. Physicians, clinicians and healthcare providers should take care to ensure that all care rendered reflects the best clinical judgment and complies with the laws and regulations of the state or location at which the care was provided.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

The Endeavor Health: Edward-Elmhurst Hospitals Accredited CME Program adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of an accredited CME activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies (entity whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing health care products used by or on patients). Financial relationships are relevant if a financial relationship, in any amount, exists between the person in control of content and an ineligible company during the past 24 months, and the content of the education is related to the products of an ineligible company with whom the person has a financial relationship. Mechanisms are in place to identify and mitigate any relevant financial relationships before the start of the activity.

Member Information

Role in activity

Nature of Relationship(s) / Name of Ineligible Company(s)

Rhodina Price, Other
Administrative Assistant II
Northwest Community Hospital

Activity Administrator

Nothing to disclose

Sammy Khalili, MD
Physician
NorthShore Medical Group

Activity Administrator, Faculty

Nothing to disclose