featured-image

An intensive voice treatment developed in the USA and known as the Lee Silverman voice treatment (LSVT LOUD) is more effective than conventional NHS speech and language therapy or no therapy for people with Parkinson's disease, finds a trial published in The BMJ today. The researchers say the results emphasize the need to optimize the use of speech and language therapy resources for people with Parkinson's disease. Slurred or slow speech (known as dysarthria) is a common feature of Parkinson's disease and can have a significant effect on communication, potentially leading to stigmatization, social isolation, and reduced quality of life.

NHS speech and language therapy or Lee Silverman voice treatment (LSVT LOUD) are two approaches available in the UK, but evidence of their effectiveness is inconclusive. To address this, researchers set out to assess the clinical effectiveness of these two speech and language therapy approaches versus no therapy for dysarthria in people with Parkinson's disease. Their findings are based on 388 people with Parkinson's disease and dysarthria (74% male; around half aged 70 or older) who were randomly assigned to one of three groups from September 2016 to March 2020: 130 to LSVT LOUD, 129 to NHS speech and language therapy, and 129 to no speech and language therapy.



LSVT LOUD consisted of four, face-to-face or remote, 50 min sessions each week delivered over four weeks, plus home based practice activities (5-10 mins daily on treatment days and 15 .

Back to Health Page