SARASOTA, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2026) – Sarasota Memorial’s Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute is enrolling patients in a national research study to learn more about a treatment that may help stroke survivors regain movement in their arms and hands.
The study, called GRASP, is led locally by Ryan Hafner, MD, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician with Sarasota Memorial’s First Physicians Group. Researchers will follow patients who receive the Vivistim® System, an FDA-approved therapy designed to improve arm and hand function after a stroke. Sponsored by Mobia Medical Inc., the study will track patients’ progress over time to better understand how the therapy performs in everyday clinical care.
“Recovering from a stroke can be a long and difficult journey, especially for people who continue to have weakness or limited movement in their arm or hand,” Dr. Hafner said. “This study will help us better understand how paired vagus nerve stimulation therapy may improve recovery and support patients over the long term.”
The national registry study is open to adults aged 18 and older who have had a stroke, have moderate to severe upper limb deficits and are clinically considered appropriate for paired vagus nerve stimulation therapy.
For many stroke survivors, improving arm and hand function can make a meaningful difference in daily life. By participating in the GRASP study, Sarasota Memorial patients may help researchers and clinicians better understand long-term outcomes associated with this therapy and its role in stroke rehabilitation.
For more information or to find out if you are eligible to participate in the local study, contact Sarasota Memorial’s research team at (941) 917-2225 or researchinstitute@smh.com. Additional information about the national registry study is available here.
About the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute
Located on the flagship Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota campus, the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute serves as a premier hub for medical research and clinical innovation. With dedicated space for research, clinical innovation and graduate medical education, the Kolschowsky Institute provides a collaborative learning environment for physicians, nurses, researchers and students studying new treatments and mastering the latest tools and techniques in patient care. Through state-of-the-art simulation labs, hands-on training programs, and a robust portfolio of clinical studies, Sarasota Memorial and the Kolschowsky Institute play a vital role in advancing medical knowledge, improving patient outcomes, and shaping the future of healthcare in the region. For more information, visit: www.smh.com/research