New speech therapy program aims to help Parkinson’s patients

ETMC Outpatient Rehab is now offering a program called Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) to help Parkinson’s patients improve their speech problems.
“Research shows 89 percent of people with Parkinson’s disease experience speech and voice disorders, including soft voice, monotone, breathiness, hoarse voice and imprecise articulation,” according to Aleta Millet, speech therapist. “This technique gives new hope for improved communication so patients have confidence in conversations.”

LSVT LOUD improves vocal loudness by stimulating the muscles of the voice box and speech mechanism through a systematic hierarchy of exercises. “It does not train people to shout or yell but the treatment uses loudness training to bring the voice to an improved, healthy vocal loudness level with no strain,” Millet said. “Research also indicates that patients have improved swallowing function.”

ETMC physical therapist Lynn Henry is trained in LSVT BIG. “Principles of LSVT LOUD are applied to limb movement in Parkinson’s patients,” Henry said. “This training increases amplitude of limb and body movement to improve speed, balance and quality of life.”

Patients of Dr. Plotkin and Dr. Bains should call 903-525-6092 and request a referral. 
Other patients should contact their physician about a referral. For questions about the program, call Aleta Millet at 903-596-3148 or Lynn Henry at 903-596-3112.