2020 LSVT Global Student Grant Awardees

We congratulate the 2020 speech, physical, and occupational therapy student grant recipients!

Each of the six students received a $1,500 student research grant from LSVT Global, to be used during the 2020-2021 academic year. These unrestricted grants provide funding to help support their treatment research projects.

Learn about our 2021 speech, physical, and occupational therapy student grant opportunities. Six $1500 Student Research Grants will be Awarded.

• Two awards each for students in speech, physical and occupational therapy programs
• Studies need to be behavioral treatment research in neurological conditions (adult or pediatric)
• Treatment does NOT need to be LSVT related
• Letter of Intent (short fillable PDF) Due:
  • SLP May 27, 2021, Read Full Announcement
  • PT June 3, 2021, Read Full Announcement
  • OT June 10, 2021, Read Full Announcement

• Open to domestic and international applicants

For additional information on our 2021 student grant competition for speech, physical, and occupational therapy students, please contact us.

Speech-Language Pathology

Liziane Bouvier, PhD student Université Laval

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) in Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech: A Pilot Study

The present study is motivated by 1) the need for evidence-based treatment options for patients with PPAOS; 2) the fact that patients with PPAOS share core characteristics with patients for whom LSVT LOUD efficacy has been proven. The goal of the present study is to measure the efficacy of LSVT LOUD in PPAOS.

Gillian Johnson, MS student Seton Hall University

Remote Cognitive Processing Intervention in Parkinson’s Disease: Feasibility and Impact on Swallow Function

Although swallowing difficulties and impaired cognition are two complications associated with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), there is little evidence that draws a correlation between the two. This within-subject study aims to (1) draw correlation between the concurrent status of impairments in swallowing and cognition in adults with PD, (2) determine the adherence and impact of a prescribed remote tablet-based cognitive-linguistic home exercise program on cognition, and (3) examine resulting secondary effects on swallow function.

Physical Therapy

Katey Hart, DPT student SUNY Upstate Medical University

High-Intensity Training’s Impact in Persons with Parkinson’s Disease

The specific aim of this study is to investigate the impact of a community group exercise program on motor function (i.e. balance, gait, balance confidence) with real-time heart rate monitoring provided in a group setting. We will test the following hypotheses (1) that participation in this community-based exercise group will assist with maintaining and improving mobility level, balance confidence, and quality of life measures; and (2) that providing real-time heart rate feedback in this group setting will increase the amount of time spent exercising in the target heart rate zone and increase motivation to perform exercise at a higher level of intensity throughout the class.

Jacqueline Palmer, DPT student Emory University

Brain Plasticity During Reactive Balance Training in Stroke Survivors

In this project, we aim to identify the brain regions that are active during standing reactive balance behavior and gain an understanding of how these brain regions contribute to balance control after stroke. Further, we will investigate how brain activity changes over the course of a balance training session and if brain plasticity is associated with improvements in balance function and performance.

Occupational Therapy

Emily Dalton, PhD student University of Melbourne

DOSE Ranging in Upper Limb Rehabilitation Post Stroke (DOSE-UP): Phase I Trial

We propose to test the utility of a Phase I trial to identify the maximum tolerable dose and safe dose range to inform later phase trials. We will test this approach in the context of upper limb training after stroke because up to 80% of people have upper limb disability early after stroke and over 50% still have a disability at 6 months. We hypothesize that the tolerated dose of training will be more than usual care and will be different depending on time post-stroke, both early (during hospitalization) and late (during community living).

Mia Do, MS student Dominican University of California

Knockout Parkinson’s Disease: Fine Motor Boxing Program

The purpose of our mixed-methods research capstone study is to examine the effectiveness of a fine motor training program at Rock Steady Boxing (RSB), a non-contact boxing program for adults living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). The proposed research will quantitatively investigate the impact of a fine motor skill training program on the quality of life in adults with PD while attending the RSB program. The research will also qualitatively investigate the habitual practice of fine motor activities in adults with PD in their daily life.