Topic > Lee Silverman Voice Treatment - 552

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) is used primarily as a voice treatment for individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) and attempts to increase vocal volume and improve vocal function (Ramig L , Sapir S, Fox C and Countryman S, 2001) (Countryman S, Hoehn M, O'Brien C, Pawlas A, Ramig L and Sapir S, 2001). Success has also been found in using this treatment protocol for patients with dysarthria associated with stroke and traumatic brain injury, as well as for children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome (Spielman, J Ramig L Mahler L Halpern A Gavin W 2007, )A. , Theodoros, D., & Cornwell, P. (01 January 2008), Marchant, J., McAuliffe, M., & Huckabee, M.-L. (January 1, 2008. LSVT was conceived in 1987 and has since been studied extensively throughout the world (Countryman et. Al). LSVT is a very unique form of voice therapy in that it focuses on several very simple tasks designed to maximize the client's phonation and respiratory functions. (Countrymen et al.) Spielman et all2007 indicated that the standard course of treatment was an extended treatment program of one hour per day, four days per week, for four consecutive weeks. It boils down to overcoming the perception among PD patients that there is nothing wrong with their speech, and using intensive sensorimotor training to help them recognize and use greater effort and stronger language in their speech. everyday communication (Ramig, LO, Fox, C., & Sapir, S. (January 1, 2004)) Most research studies testing the application and success of LSVT appear to follow the same research methodology as basic. Clients with PD are recruited from local support groups newspaper advertisements or contacts with specialists in other related medical fields. (Countryman et al 2001) (Ramig et al 2001). The usual method of testing appears to be randomized control group studies with clients separated into groups receiving LSVT or receiving no voice-related therapy, or groups receiving more traditional, less intense forms of voice or breathing therapy (Ramig et al 2004 )(Ramig et al 2001) (Countrymen S. 2001) (Constantinescu, G., Theodoros, D., Russell, T., Ward, E., Wilson, S., & Wootton, R. (1 January 2011) Control groups can be further divided into age and gender categories. Initially the sound pressure levels of all clients are measured to establish a baseline reference point.