The story of patients with idiopathic Parkinson Disease and speech therapy has improved dramatically over the last decade. Much of that is thanks to Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) LOUD®. The reduced ability to communicate is reportedly one of the most difficult aspects of Parkinson Disease (Fox, Morrison, Ramig & Sapir, 2002).
Two important factors about the history of speech therapy and Parkinson Disease to consider are:
1) Only 3-4% of patients with Parkinson Disease received therapy for speech or voice disorders (Fox et al., 2002).
2) An accepted (but antiquated) view had been that treatment effects disappear as soon as patients walked out of the therapy room (Fox et al., 2002).
Thank goodness things have changed dramatically, and there is now excellent research supporting the treatment program LSVT LOUD®. This treatment program is for adults with mild – severe voice disorders secondary to the onset of idiopathic Parkinson Disease.
How do you know a voice problem needs LSVT?
When speech-language pathologists schedule an initial consultation, it is to gather a case history. Important questions are asked, such as:
i) Have you changed your volunteer or work responsibilities because of your Parkinson Disease?
ii) Do people ask you to repeat yourself?
iii) Do people answer your questions incorrectly?
iv) Do people ignore you or have a hard time understanding you?
When answers to these questions are “yes”, it is important to understand ‘why’. When a speech-language pathologist hears “yes” to these questions, alarm bells are ringing in our ears.
What do LSVT candidates sound like?
Treatable voice characteristics in Parkinson Disease include:
a) Increased hoarseness or breathiness
b) Decrease in volume
c) Decrease in understandable speech
More can be learned about this treatment option for individuals with Parkinson Disease at LSVTloud.com. If you have questions about LSVT LOUD® or about how you can access this treatment program at Stillwater Speech Therapy, please feel welcome to call or send an email.
Talk soon,
Julie
Fox, C. M., Morrison, C.E., Ramig, L. O., Sapir, S. (2002). Current perspectives on Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) for individuals with idiopathic parkinson disease. American Journal of Speech- Language Pathology, 11(111-123).
