LSVT LOUD®

LSVT LOUD® is an effective speech therapy program for people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). It is based on the premise of helping people with PD learn to use their voice at a healthy, normal loudness level when speaking in environments that matter the most to them — at home, at work, or in the community. The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) approach was first developed for and named after woman living with PD. Therapy exercises target loudness, but also improve other aspects of hypokinetic dysarthria (the neurologic speech impairment found in PD) as well as facial expression and swallowing ability.

Several features of LSVT LOUD® support its use as an evidence-based, highly-effective treatment that capitalizes on neuroplasticity and motor learning:

  • INTENSIVE, HIGH EFFORT: Therapy is delivered with an intensive schedule (four sessions per week for four weeks). Sessions and home practice have a constant emphasis on increasing drive throughout the speech production system.

  • CALIBRATION: A critical element of the treatment is calibration of the client’s perception of loudness and effort in producing their voice and speech, to adapt to sensory feedback deficits that are often present in PD. This aids the client in becoming comfortable using a stronger voice at a normal loudness level.

  • EXTENSIVE RESEARCH SUPPORT: Dr. Lorraine Ramig and her colleagues developed the treatment program and have scientifically studied its effects for over 25 years, with funding from the National Institute for Deafness and other Communication Disorders within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other funding organizations. Several published, peer-reviewed randomized control trials support its efficacy. Lasting effects of the treatment, including improvements in loudness, more variability in pitch, better articulation, changes in swallowing, improved facial expressions while talking, and speech-related brain changes, have been demonstrated for at least 2 years post-treatment. For more updates on current research, please see LSVT’s website.