Delivering the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) by web camera: a feasibility study.
BACKGROUND
Speech disorders are a feature of Parkinson's disease, typically worsening as the disease progresses. The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) was developed to address these difficulties. It targets vocal loudness as a means of increasing vocal effort and improving coordination across the subsystems of speech.


OBJECTIVE
Currently LSVT is not widely available, and there are practical difficulties associated with the delivery of an intensive treatment in an environment of resource constraints in the National Health Service (NHS). Delivery of LSVT over the World-Wide Web may address some of these difficulties.


METHODS
A feasibility study is reported in which three individuals with speech disorders resulting from Parkinson's disease received LSVT over the Internet, using broadband connection and a web camera. Participants were seen face to face for every fourth session in order to build a personal relationship, measure vocal sound pressure level (SPL) during treatment, and to review and prepare homework tasks. All other sessions were delivered over the Internet.


RESULTS
Broadly similar treatment gains were found between individuals treated over the Internet and those treated face to face. Gains were maintained or improved at an assessment two months after the treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that delivery of LSVT over the Internet is feasible, and that a larger trial would be appropriate to establish cost and treatment effectiveness.
Howell
Susan
S
Glenside Hospital for Neuro Rehabilitation, Salisbury, UK. susanhowellslt@hotmail.co.uk
Tripoliti
Elina
E
Pring
Tim
T
D000368:Aged; D004401:Dysarthria / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods; D014741:Video Recording / Q000379:methods*; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014834:Voice Training