LSVT LOUD (Lee Silverman Voice Therapy)

By: Sonya L. Pearson, PT, DPT  _ LSVT BIG Certified Clinician at HealthSouth Lakeshore Outpatient Therapy


LSVT BIG is an evidenced based neurorehabilitation treatment program originally designed to treat the motor impairments related to Parkinson's Disease and evolved from the efficacious speech treatment LSVT LOUD (Lee Silverman Voice Therapy).

The primary manifestations of Parkinson's Disease include bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and hypokinesia (decreased amplitude or range of movement). Individuals with Parkinson's Disease often report that they move slower, have greater difficulty getting dressed, write smaller and are often asked to 'speak up', all of which can be attributed to the effects of bradykinesia and hypokinesia.


The basic principles of LSVT BIG are directly aimed at increasing the amplitude of movement during everyday activities. The four basic principles of LSVT BIG include high effort, progressive movements, continuous activity and motivation. The delivery and administration of this innovative Physical and Occupational therapy is a hallmark feature of LSVT BIG. The program schedule includes 16 individual therapy sessions, delivered four days a week over the course of four consecutive weeks.

During a typical one hour LSVT BIG session participants will perform highly repetitious exercises, which include whole body movements, functional component tasks and BIG walking trials. In addition to the high frequency of delivery participants perform LSVT BIG carryover exercises and homework practice one to two times a day while away from therapy during the course of their treatment. This high level of intensity and frequency assists in increasing the amplitude and speed of movement in their everyday lives.

Participants may experience the following improvements:
Faster walking with bigger steps
Improved balance
Increased trunk rotation
Improved confidence
Restored Hope


Although LSVT BIG was originally designed to treat motor impairments related to Parkinson's Disease, it has since been successfully used to treat other neurological diseases and injuries including: Stroke, Brain Injury and Multiple Sclerosis.



For more information on LSVT BIG, please contact HealthSouth Lakeshore Outpatient Therapy at 205-868-2290.