Sunday

Newl therapy helps Parkinson's patients regain voices

Many people lose the ability to be heard with the onset of any number of neurological conditions consisting of stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

Through speech therapy, there’s help for diseases that weaken voices. Solutions also can come with a therapy called Lee Silverman Voice Treatment.

The protocol was developed by two speech language pathologists and is named after one of the first patients to undergo the program.

The greatest silencer of voice comes with Parkinson’s disease. Researchers estimate that 89 percent of people with Parkinson’s exhibit difficulties with speech and voice. Their voice volume decreases, and they have an increase in vocal tremors.

Even Grammy Award-winning singer Linda Ronstadt said she no longer can perform because of Parkinson’s.

The disease also alters the personal capacity to recognize soft speech. Scores of patients are unaware they’re whispering. Family members are affected because, many times, they’re cut off from parts of conversation.

More than 4 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. That translates to 1 in every 500. The risks increase with age and the average onset is at 65.

It can be devastating to be diagnosed with a neurological or nervous system disorder that robs control of our bodies. We digress with alarming new rules that govern our posture, muscles and gait. In the course of a few years, we begin to stoop, trip and fall. And all muscles are affected, including the ones that control voices.

“Every aspect of your interaction with others is affected when you lose your voice,” say Lisa M. Purdy, a certified speach language pathologist. She says Parkinson’s has no cure, but there are positive ways to be heard.

Therapy brings additional awareness and teaches a new normal to those patients who have lost their natural speaking voice.

“We bring attention to a louder volume of voice, and through repeated effort, patients adapt to speaking in decibels that can be heard,” Purdy says. “We also work with family members and give them cues to help their loved ones communicate.”

Patients can gain better perception of posture and breathing to enhance communication. Purdy says the new-found techniques instill recognition of correct volume. The knowledge allows patients to self-correct a whisper into an audible sound.

LSVT treatment can help 90 percent of Parkinson’s sufferers, according to extensive clinical trials. The results show a positive impact with improving voice volume disorders. Patients with conditions of stroke, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis also benefit from voice therapy.

“Working to restore patients’ interaction with others is very rewarding,” Purdy says.

She says the rewards come by seeing their patients improve with confidence and a better sense of self.

Laureen Lowe-Albrecht is licensed in physical therapy, specializing in senior health and wellness. Contact her at lalbrecht@ 
MelbourneTerraceRehabCenter or call 321-725-3990.
Read more