Speech-Language Pathologists at MedStar National Rehabilitation Network offer a highly innovative treatment approach to treat patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) is now being provided to patients with PD who experience reduced communication effectiveness. LSVT® LOUD, which improves a patient’s vocal loudness by stimulating the muscles of the speech mechanism through a systematic hierarchy of exercises, improves respiratory, laryngeal and articulatory function to maximize speech intelligibility. It does not train people for shouting or yelling; rather, the treatment uses loudness training to bring the voice to an improved, healthy vocal loudness level with no strain.
Studies supported by the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have demonstrated that LSVT® LOUD improves a patient’s vocal loudness, intonation and voice quality, with patients maintain these improvements for up to two years after treatment. Recent research studies have also documented the effectiveness of this therapy in addressing disordered articulation, reduced facial expression and impaired swallowing. Further, brain imaging studies have revealed positive changes in the brain following administration of the therapy.
For additional information on LSVT® LOUD, please contact MedStar National Rehabilitation Network’s certified LSVT® speech-language pathologists:
Speech-Language Pathologist | MedStar outpatient location | Phone Number |
Suzanne Redmond, MA, CCC-SLP | MedStar Health Physical Therapy at McLean | 703-288-8260 |
Denise Frankoff, MS, CCC-SLP, PhD Brooke Hatfield, MS, CCC-SLP | MedStar Health Physical Therapy at Irving Street - Neurorehabilitation Center | 202-877-1440 |
Rohini Rao, MA, CCC-SLP Julie Rowlett, MS, CCC-SLP Jessica Parker, MA, CCC-SLP | NRH Rehabilitation Network at Olney | 301-570-3138 |
Breanne Reynolds, MS, CCC-SLP | MedStar Health Physical Therapy at Mitchellville | 301-390-3076 |
