title: Changes in vocal loudness following intensive voice treatment (LSVT) in individuals with Parkinson's disease: a comparison with untreated patients and normal age-matched controls.
abstract: This study assessed the impact of the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) on vocal loudness [sound pressure level (SPL)] in a group of dysarthric individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD). Pre- to post-treatment changes in SPL in the treated group were compared with changes in voice SPL during the same time in two control groups: individuals with IPD not treated with the LSVT and in non-disordered individuals, age-matched to the patients. All subjects produced the same voice and speech tasks--sustaining vowel phonation, reading the "Rainbow Passage," producing a short monologue, and describing a picture. These tasks were recorded at three different occasions: just prior to treatment, just after treatment, and 6 months following treatment. The individuals treated with LSVT increased voice SPL from baseline to post-treatment by an average of 8 dB and from baseline to 6 months follow-up by an average of 6 dB. These changes were statistically significant and perceptibly audible. No significant changes in SPL were observed in the control groups during the time corresponding to the treatment and follow-up. Differences in SPL between the treated and untreated patients at post-treatment and follow-up were statistically significant for all voice and speech tasks. These findings, along with others, provide additional support for the efficacy of the LSVT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech Language and Hearing Sciences, University of Colorado-Boulder, USA.
authors.forename: L O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Ramig
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sapir
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Countryman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014833:Voice Quality; D014834:Voice Training