
LVST: An Effective Tool for Treating Voice Difficulty in Parkinson’s Patients
As anyone living with Parkinson’s Disease can tell you, PD is a progressive illness that affects movement and muscle stiffness. Although less discussed, issues affecting voice are just as prevalent and debilitating. Due to a decline in volume, the person living with PD may feel they are shouting when their loved ones barely hear what they are saying. Many patients give up on communicating, which can lead to feelings of isolation and depression.
Eighty-nine percent of people with PD have a voice or speech problem, but only 4% seek treatment. This may be due to the fact that people are not aware of a highly-effective treatment program that has been clinically proven to work in 72 countries. The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment program, known as LSVT LOUD, is an intensive four week program that is ran by an LSVT certified speech language pathologist. During each session you and your therapist will work on regimented exercises designed with one goal in mind—to make your voice be heard. Your therapist is trained to help with breath support, control, and volume. Your only job is to work on being LOUD! Treatment doesn’t end when your session does. Homework is assigned for every day of the month to ensure that progress carries over to the real world.
To see LSVT in action, watch this video of “Shirley” a woman who received LSVT treatment and made herself heard.
Call LLA Therapy today at (330) 867-2240 to make an appointment with our LSVT-certified therapist for an evaluation or click here to schedule online.
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