LSVT BIG and LOUD Program

LSVT BIG and LOUD ® (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment) is a comprehensive (physical, occupational, and speech) therapy approach for Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions. Such diseases and conditions try to minimize an individual's movements and speech, often seen and heard via muffled speech, lowered speaking volume, decreased facial expression, stiffness, slowness of movement, and tremors.

LSVT Loud - a speech therapy program - focuses on increasing vocal loudness to improve voice and speech quality. LSVT BIG is a physical/occupational therapy program that has been proven to promote strength, motor learning, and brain function. It helps improve balance, promotes independence, and increases sensory awareness.

Both LSVT BIG ® and LSVT LOUD ® treatments consist of 16 therapy sessions – four days a week for four weeks – each lasting one hour at VCHS. There are also daily carryover exercises and homework practice. Treatment success is, in part, attributed to the intensive nature of the programs.

VCHS Rehab’s Heidi Peterson, PT; Erika White, PT; and Jamie Copsey, OTR/L completed LSVT BIG certification training – and Shaun Hiemstra, MS, CCC, SLP completed LSVT LOUD certification training – in 2017. Only LSVT certified clinicians are able to practice these methods.

LSVT BIG and LOUD has been truly lifechanging for patients both locally and around the world, just ask Margie Petersen of Loup City, Neb.:

"I first noticed symptoms five years ago when, as a music teacher, my fingers would lock up or have tremors. It took awhile to get the issue diagnosed as Parkinson's disease, and when it was, there were limited resources nearby to directly deal with it. However, in a support group I was a part of, some of the other participants talked about the LSVT BIG and LOUD program and what a positive difference it made. When VCHS started the LSVT BIG and LOUD program earlier this year, I knew I had to partcipate. Through the program, I have increased my wellbeing -- physically, mentally, and emotionally. The VCHS therapists are attune to each patient's needs, and they customize, keep things interesting, and challenge each patient accordingly. The program has helped me get back on track with managing my symptoms (with less stiffness, better posture, and less slowness,) as well as boosted my confidence and emotional wellbeing. Even though my therapy sessions have ended, I plan to continue doing the exercises and skills I've learned through LSVT BIG and LOUD at VCHS to help keep symptoms at bay as much as I can and stay healthy."  

For more information, call VCHS Rehabilitation Services at 308.728.4247.