Parkinson’s disease affects the speech of 89% of those with the condition. Published data documents the effectiveness of Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) in improving vocal loudness, intonation (rise and fall of the voice), voice quality as well as unclear speech, diminished facial expression and impaired swallowing.
LSVT LOUD® is evidence-based, internationally recognised and recommended in the NICE guidelines in the UK for voice problems associated with Parkinson’s disease. It has also been shown to be an effective treatment Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).
Recent news coverage
In fact, a study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in July 2024 found that LSVT ‘significantly helped patients’, and was far more effective than standard NHS speech therapy. You can read a summary in the Daily Telegraph.
Mark Mardle, a journalist and former BBC presenter journalist was interviewed with one of the researchers from the University of Nottingham about the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment study. The interview is currently available on BBC Radio 4 Sounds (skip to 07:28).
How does LSVT LOUD® work?
LSVT LOUD® improves vocal loudness by stimulating the muscles of the voice box (larynx) and speech mechanism through a carefully planned series of exercises. Focused on a single goal – “Speak LOUD!” – LSVT LOUD® brings the voice to an improved, healthy vocal loudness, without strain.
Below is a recently updated example of someone who’s been through the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment course in the USA, and shows the dramatic before-and-after results, and then a further eight years after treatment.
Original: LSVT Global
Why the intensity of sessions?
This intensity is consistent with theories of motor learning and skill acquisition as well as with the principles of neural plasticity (the capacity of the nervous system to change in response to signals) and is critical to attaining optimal results.
The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment therapy not only stimulates the motor system but also incorporates sensory awareness training to help individuals with PD recognise that their voice is too soft, convincing them that the louder voice is within normal limits, and making them comfortable with the new louder voice.
Clients are trained to self-generate the necessary loudness to make their speech understood.
Course details – Therapy Sessions
- Initial assessment session of one and a half to two hours.
- Four individual 60 minute sessions per week for four weeks.
- Post treatment assessment session.
- Follow-up session three months post treatment either on the telephone or Zoom.
- Reports to your GP and consultant as necessary.
Prices are available upon request.
LSVT LOUD® sessions are run online via Zoom.
ENT assessment
You will also need to see an Ear Nose and Throat consultant to check that your larynx is healthy before starting LSVT LOUD®. This can be either through the NHS or a private referral.
Homework
On the days when clients have a therapy session, they will do one practice session, and on the days when they do not have a therapy session, they will do two practice sessions.
Clients are given specific exercises to practise each day; some exercises will be the same every day, and some will be changed daily.
How will I know that I am practising at the correct volume?
The Voice Analyst App (£9.99) is used in the sessions and clients will need to buy it to record themselves during the session, and when doing homework, to ensure that they are speaking at the correct volume practising.
Maintenance Exercises
After Lee Silverman Voice Treatment therapy has finished, clients will need to continue to practise daily in order to maintain the improvements made in their speech and voice.
LSVT LOUD® Testimonials:
“The quality of instruction and detail, all of which was individually tailored to me was nothing short of outstanding. I was particularly impressed again with her ability to gauge when I needed rest or encouragement to continue. And make no mistake Celia with her drive and determination for her patients to succeed becomes infectious but a word of warning she is a hard task master and continually drives one to succeed. Similarly, she has the ability to know exactly when to take the pressure off. “
– DH, Basingstoke
“It is fair to say that the results have been fantastic – and beyond what I had imagined possible.
How fantastic? I am now, once again, regularly presenting at conferences and was described by a colleague, who knows of my diagnosis and recently heard me speak to a room of 200 delegates, as ‘being on fire’!
I do not believe this would have happened without Celia’s support. She is thoroughly professional, rightly challenging and hugely encouraging.
And the lively family conversations – I am right there in the middle of them!”
– SR, Portsmouth
Read full testimonial here.
“It was not easy and some effort has to be put into it, but after just one week my family could see progress and therefore I decided to carry on and complete the course. I am so pleased that I did continue as my family and friends can now understand me with hardly any repetitions.
Celia was so professional, so patient especially through my Parkinson’s bad days. My improvement is all due to her drive and determination to succeed.”
– HYA, Winchester
Read full testimonial here.