People with Parkinson

By: HealthSouth Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital Outpatient Clinic


People with Parkinson’s disease who are participating in a high-intensity, high-frequency rehabilitation program at HealthSouth Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital are seeing results from their efforts. The therapy, called LSVT BIG, is a derivative of the Lee Silverman Voice Therapy used by speech therapists and promotes high-amplitude movements in people with Parkinson’s disease. Sonya Pearson, PT, DPT and Cheryl Pierce, OT are certified in the delivery of LSVT BIG and say the BIG protocol was developed specifically to address the unique movement impairments for these Parkinson’s patients.

BIG exercises are whole body multidirectional exercises. The basic principles of LSVT BIG include high effort, progressive movements, continuous activity, and are directly aimed at increasing the amplitude of movement during everyday activities.

The program schedule includes 16 individual therapy sessions delivered four days a week over four continuous weeks by certified physical or occupational therapists. “During a typical one-hour LSVT BIG session, participants perform repetitious exercises which include whole body movements, functional component tasks and BIG walking trials,” Pearson says. “In addition to the high frequency of delivery, participants perform LSVT BIG carryover exercises and practice at home 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.”


To learn more, please contact HealthSouth Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital Outpatient clinic at 205.868.2290.