Outpatient Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s LSVT BIG Program

Based on the concept of Lee Silverman Voice Treatments LOUD, the Parkinson’s LSVT BIG program is an intensive therapy that focuses on improving amplitude (degree of movement) and speed (when walking and doing other activities), which often are negatively affected in people who have Parkinson’s disease.

Patients are seen for an initial evaluation in which problems with walking, balance, and other activities such as getting into and out of bed, standing up from a chair and negotiating stairs are identified. The patient then returns for hour-long therapy sessions four days a week for four weeks. Specific exercises are completed with the therapist demonstrating and completing exercises with patients with the goal of incorporating LSVT BIG movement into everyday life. The earlier in the disease process we see the patient, the better. The sooner their body gets calibrated to BIG movements, the more the patient can preserve or even improve function. We are also able to help those with moderate and severe deficits.

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD)

LSVT LOUD is a speech treatment for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions. Devised in 1985, Lee Silverman Voice Treatment was named for the first patient who underwent the therapy.

LSVT LOUD improves vocal volume by stimulating the muscles of the voice box (larynx) and speech mechanism through a systematic exercise program. Focused on a single goal – “speak LOUD!” – the treatment improves respiratory, laryngeal and articulatory function to maximize speech intelligibility.

SPEAK OUT! & LOUD Crowd program

Lifespan Rehabilitation Services is the recipient of a grant from the Parkinson Voice Project to support the implementation of the SPEAK OUT!® & LOUD Crowd® program for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson Voice Project developed this two-art therapy approach to help individuals with Parkinson's preserve their speech and swallowing abilities. 

We are currently accepting referral for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease who are seeking Speech Language Pathology treatment. Treatment sessions begin October 2019.

Learn more about outpatient rehabilitation services at Lifespan