The recent advancements in neuroscience have highlighted the efficacy of exercise-based behavioral treatments in improving motor functions in individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD). The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) Programs, specifically LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG, have shown significant improvements in speech and body movement. These programs could offer valuable insights for practitioners in pediatric speech therapy, particularly those providing online therapy services like TinyEYE.
Both LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG focus on increasing amplitude—loudness in speech and bigger movements in the limb motor system. The core principles include:
- Amplitude Targeting: Focusing on increasing vocal loudness and movement size to recalibrate sensory perceptions.
- Intensive Training: Conducting high-effort, repetitive exercises to promote neuroplasticity and motor learning.
- Sensory Recalibration: Helping patients recognize that their amplified movements and speech are within normal limits.
- Self-Cueing: Training individuals to use self-cueing for long-term maintenance of treatment outcomes.
Here's how these principles can be integrated into pediatric speech therapy:
1. Focus on Amplitude
Training children to use louder voices and bigger movements can significantly improve their speech and motor functions. Practitioners can create exercises that encourage children to amplify their actions and voices, ensuring they understand that these amplified actions are normal.
2. Intensive, High-Effort Therapy
Implementing high-intensity, repetitive exercises can be highly beneficial. This could involve daily practice sessions that are engaging and tailored to each child's interests and abilities, thus promoting neuroplasticity and motor learning.
3. Sensory Recalibration
Using tools like audio and video recordings can help children perceive their amplified actions as normal. This could involve recording their speech and playing it back to them, showing that what feels loud to them sounds normal to others.
4. Training Self-Cueing
Encouraging children to use self-cueing techniques can help them maintain their improved speech and movements over the long term. Practitioners can create fun and engaging ways for children to remember to use louder voices and bigger movements in their daily activities.
The outcome data from LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG indicate significant improvements in vocal loudness, speech articulation, and motor performance. These results are maintained over long periods, suggesting that the principles of these programs can have lasting benefits when integrated into pediatric speech therapy.
Practitioners are encouraged to delve deeper into the research to better understand these programs and their potential applications in pediatric therapy. By doing so, they can enhance their skills and provide more effective treatments for their young clients.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG: Behavioral Treatment Programs for Speech and Body Movement in Parkinson Disease.
