Voice Therapy

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The Lee Silverman Voice Training Program (LSVT) at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network provides the first evidence-based effective treatment in the remediation of voice and speech disorders in individuals with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders.

Data from more than 15 years of research on Parkinson’s disease speech therapy has documented significant benefits in speech intelligibility and generalized improvements across motor symptoms (swallow, facial, expression) and neural functioning.
Ongoing research supports the efficacy of LSVT with other neural disorders such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, TBI, and ataxia.
This behavioral speech therapy offers promise of further speech improvement and quality of life.
The treatment effects are long lasting (up to two years) and have been considered Level 1 evidence for speech treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
Treatment focuses on improving loudness and immediate carryover into daily communication, enabling patients to maintain and /or improve their oral communication.
LSVT is recommended by a speech therapist following the results of a voice/speech evaluation. *If LSVT is appropriate, a patient will need to have an ear, nose and throat physician (ENT) consultation prior to treatment.
The patient will need to commit to attending four sessions per week of 50-60 minute durations for four weeks. In addition, the patient will need to participate in a daily home program. Some patients will need to extend their visits based on the severity of symptoms.
Patients will be followed for three to six months after discharge from the program to assess their voice/speech status at that time.

For more information on the Good Shepherd Voice Training Program, contact us today or call 1-888-44-REHAB (24 hours a day, 365 days a year).