It has been over 30 years since the first research on Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) was published and our LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG Training and Certification courses were launched. It is invigorating to see that we have not let the “grass grow under our feet.” There are still so many firsts being achieved in our quest to change lives with LSVT LOUD speech treatment and LSVT BIG physical therapy and occupational therapy as we enter our fourth decade of advancing and implementing evidence-based therapies.
Here are just a few highlights of firsts since 2020:
For the first time: A neural imaging study comparing LSVT LOUD versus LSVT ARTIC® speech treatments and a control group with Parkinson’s with a 6-month follow-up was published.
Discover what happens to your brain on LSVT LOUD.
For the first time: A virtual live LSVT LOUD for KIDS® Training and Certification course for pediatric speech-language pathologists was launched.
Interested in getting LSVT LOUD for KIDS Course on April 19-20, 2024? Register now!
In 2024…the LSVT LOUD for KIDS course will be available online. LSVT LOUD for KIDS is an evidence-based speech treatment for children with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy that is shown to increase vocal loudness, articulation, speech intelligibility, confidence in communication, and neural function related to speech and voice.
For the first time: The impact of intensive LSVT LOUD voice treatment on speech disorders of children with Down syndrome was studied.
Can voice treatment improve communication in children with Down syndrome?
Children with Down syndrome continue to be underserved when it comes to targeting their motor speech disorders, so we are hopeful that LSVT LOUD treatment will be viewed as a viable option to fill some of the treatment gaps, that are well documented in this population.
For the first time: A fully translated Online LSVT LOUD Training and Certification Course for non-English speakers (Chinese) was made available.
This advancement allows us to continue to diversify our global network of LSVT Certified professionals, and it was developed in collaboration with Zaizhu College of Speech-Language and Pathology. It is complemented by LSVT LOUD (speech therapy) and LSVT BIG (physical and occupational therapy) materials available in over 20 languages. The global accessibility of LSVT programs for people with movement, speech, and other communication disorders from Parkinson’s and other neural conditions continues to improve.
For the first time: LSVT for LIFE, an online exercise platform for LSVT graduates, was made available.
LSVT for LIFE allows clients who have completed individual LSVT LOUD or LSVT BIG therapy to attend weekly online LOUD for LIFE® or BIG for LIFE® classes. Clients join from all over the world for fun, challenging, and engaging exercises to maintain their louder voices and bigger, more normal movement! Participants have the opportunity to practice their LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD exercises together in addition to a variety of weekly themed functional activities.
For the first time: A randomized controlled trial examined LSVT BIG therapy delivered via telerehabilitation for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Is LSVT BIG effective through telerehabilitation?
Check out this newly published RCT comparing LSVT BIG to a dose matched alternative treatment. Both are provided via telehealth to people with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.
For the first time: A randomized controlled trial demonstrated significant improvements in speech intelligibility in noise following intensive speech treatment for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Find out if the cue to speak LOUD or ENUNCIATE helps people with Parkinson’s be heard in noise.
Evidence for the impact of LSVT LOUD to improve speech intelligibility is growing and emphasizes the role of audibility in speech intelligibility. That is, people with PD need to speak louder to be heard and understood. For speech-language pathologists and people with Parkinson’s alike, using LSVT LOUD speech treatment offers an efficient and effective way to improve loudness, speech intelligibility, and confidence with communication in social interactions.
For the first time: A randomized controlled study explored what everyday speakers perceive after intensive speech treatments for people with Parkinson’s.
Can crowd sourced, typical listeners detect improvements in Parkinson’s speech after LSVT LOUD?
It is one thing for trained expert listeners to detect improved voice and speech in people with Parkinson’s after treatment. But what impact does increasing vocal loudness have for improving communication for untrained listeners?
Innovation in Science. Integrity in Practice.
The evolution of LSVT is the collaborative result from work and input across research scientists, dedicated speech, physical and occupational therapists, clients ranging from adults with Parkinson’s disease to children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, our clients’ support networks, and other community collaborators.
From its clinical beginnings at the Lee Silverman Center for Parkinson’s in Scottsdale, Arizona in the late 1980s, LSVT has grown into a global force for change in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions. Through continuous innovation and relentless commitment to patient-centered care, LSVT has transformed the lives of countless individuals, giving them a voice, and empowering them to move with confidence. As we look forward to the future, one thing is clear: the best is yet to come for LSVT.
LSVT STRONG: Forging new BIG and LOUD paths in Parkinson’s and neural rehabilitation!
#LSVTSTRONG #LSVTPROUD