Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Essay -- Health, Parkinson’s Disease

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) is primary utilized as a voice treatment for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), it’s main focus is that it attempts to increase vocal loudness and improve vocal function (Countryman S, Hoehn M, O’Brien C, Pawlas A, Ramig L, and Sapir S, 2001)(Ramig L, Sapir S, Fox C, and Countryman S, 2001). There has also been success in utilizing this treatment protocol for clients with dysarthria associated with stroke, and traumatic brain injury as well as children who have cerebral palsy and Down syndrome (Marchant, J., McAuliffe, M., & Huckabee, M. January 2008)(Spielman, J Ramig L Mahler L Halpern A Gavin W., 2007,)(Wenke, R., Theodoros, D., & Cornwell, P., January 2008)). LSVT was conceived in 1987 and has been extensively studied around the world since then (Countryman et. al., 2001). LSVT is a very unique form of voice therapy in that it focuses on several very simple tasks that are designed to maximize the client’s phonation and respiratory functions. (Countrymen et al., 2001). Spielman et al., 2007 indicated that the standard course o...