The Effectiveness of Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) on Children's Speech and Voice: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: This scoping review had as a primary goal a review of the literature and the an analysis of the possible effectiveness of the LSVT LOUD approach in children with voice and speech deficits. METHODS: A search was conducted in the Scopus and PubMed databases in May of 2024. Eleven articles were obtained from the search. The standards of PRISMA recommendations were used for scoping reviews and the PCC framework was used for the eligibility criteria. Furthermore, the study used the instructions in the Cochrane Handbook for a quality assessment. The Mendeley Reference Manager software collected the studies and removed duplicates. RESULTS: The reviewed studies employed formal and informal measures to assess voice and speech abilities in the children. Regarding the sample's characteristics, the studies mostly included children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and also those with Down Syndrome (DS). All the studies reported that children with CP and DS undertook a total dose of the LSVT LOUD treatment. Significant post-treatment findings indicated increased speech function and sound pressure level, regarding the auditory-perceptual ratings of voice and speech improvement. In many studies, parents' and expert listeners' ratings of voice, perception of vocal loudness, speech, and communication indicated improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the included studies provide positive evidence for the LSVT as an approach. However, the small sample size that featured in the studies, as well as their limitations, made these conclusions uncertain. Moreover, the study's findings provided recommendations that speech language therapists and other clinicians need to follow when setting a treatment plan with children with CP and DS.

The impact of PD Check-In on self-management skills for maintenance of speech after intensive treatment.

BACKGROUND: Maintenance of speech outcomes following speech-language therapy (SLT) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is an unmet expectation of people with PD (PWPD) and poorly defined in SLT practice. PD Check-In, a model for supported self-managed maintenance of speech following Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) LOUD was investigated. AIMS: To investigate the impact of the semi-structured component of PD Check-In on the adoption of self-management concepts and behaviours and the identification of facilitators, barriers and strategies for speech maintenance by PWPD over 24 months post-treatment. METHODS AND PROCEDURE: Following LSVT LOUD, 16 PWPD participated in individual PD Check-In semi-structured discussions with a SLT at 6 and 12 weeks, and 6, 12 and 24 months post treatment. A two-stage qualitative content analysis was applied: directed content analysis using categories from the theoretical framework of PD Check-In followed by inductive content analysis to identify subcategories. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Statements from PWPD indicated adoption of seven concepts of self-management across participants and across time. Six concepts from the theoretical framework of PD Check-In (partnerships, self-reflection, maintenance barriers and facilitators, revision of LSVT LOUD skill, goal setting and maintenance strategies), and one new category, participation, emerged from the analysis. Self-reflection, maintenance facilitators and barriers and participation were most prevalent in discussions. PWPD identified facilitators, barriers and strategies for maintenance across time points. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Statements from PWPD indicated a positive impact of SLT-supported self-management of speech using self-tailored strategies for sustainable maintenance according to their individual circumstances and needs. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject People with Parkinson's disease (PWPD) have expressed their need for speech-language therapy (SLT) services that are accessible for the duration of the condition and responsive to their expectation of maintaining speech following treatment. Outcomes for maintenance of the treatment effect following Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) LOUD are variable. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study presents the outcomes of five PD Check-In interventions delivered in semi-structured discussions between PWPD and a SLT over 24 months following LSVT LOUD for the development of self-management skills and behaviours. PWPD adopted self-management positively using self-tailored strategies for sustainable maintenance according to their individual circumstances and needs. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? PWPD responded positively to the individual development of self-management skills and behaviours over time. Individuality and flexible responsivity are features of PD Check-In which resonate with PWPD and speak to SLT supported self-managed maintenance of speech as a long-term model for PD.

Clinical outcomes of PD Check-In, a model for supported self-managed maintenance of speech in Parkinson's disease: A Phase 1 study.

BACKGROUND: For many people with Parkinson's disease (PWPD), the long-term maintenance of speech following intensive treatment remains elusive. PD Check-In, a model for supported self-managed maintenance of speech following LSVT LOUD® , was developed and evaluated. AIMS: To evaluate the impact of PD Check-In on vocal intensity and level of satisfaction of PWPD and their communication partners (CPs) over 24 months following LSVT LOUD. METHODS & PROCEDURES: A repeated-measures study design examined the impact of PD Check-In on the speech of 16 PWPD. Participants received LSVT LOUD followed by PD Check-In at 6 and 12 weeks, and 6, 12 and 24 months after treatment. Outcome measures included acoustic measures of vocal intensity (sound pressure level-SPL) during sustained phonation, functional phrases, reading, and monologue, and satisfaction questionnaires for PWPD and their CPs. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: A significant treatment effect for time (p < 0.01) was identified for all SPL variables. Planned comparisons showed significant improvements for each variable pre- to post-LSVT LOUD. There was a significant maintenance effect for SPL maximum sustained phonation only, post-LSVT LOUD to 24 months. SPL remained significantly above baseline for functional phrases and maximum sustained phonation at 24 months. Participants' satisfaction with PD Check-In was high, at 93.75% for PWPD and 79.99% for CPs, at 24 months post-treatment. Long intervals between appointments led PWPD to feel less motivated about speech practice but more confident in self-management. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: For PWPD and CPs, maintenance of speech following LSVT LOUD encompasses more than acoustic outcomes. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject? Maintenance of speech following LSVT LOUD has been shown to be variable in individual and group models. For PWPD and their CPs, a model for speech maintenance supports their expectation of sustained treatment effect over time and meets their changing needs for speech and language therapy services. Supported self-management is a model under investigation for long-term maintenance of speech. What this paper adds to existing knowledge? This study presents the impact of five individual PD Check-In interventions on the maintenance of vocal intensity (SPL) of 16 PWPD over 24 months following LSVT LOUD. PWPD and CPs reported a high level of satisfaction with PD Check-In independent of acoustic outcomes. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Participant satisfaction with PD Check-In is derived from multiple factors and not limited to acoustic outcomes post-LSVT LOUD. Further investigation of the efficacy of PD Check-In to support the perceived maintenance of speech of PWPD and CPs is warranted.

Conversational Vocal Intensity in Parkinson's Disease: Treatment and Environmental Comparisons.

BACKGROUND: Vibrotactile Feedback (VF) using wearable devices is an emerging treatment option for hypophonia in Individuals with Parkinson's disease (IwPD). Studies evaluating the effectiveness of VF in improving conversational vocal intensity in real-life environment in IwPD are limited. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of VF on conversational vocal intensity and compare vocal intensity between a) clinic and real-life environment b) VF and Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®)vs. VF alone in IwPD using a portable voice monitor (VocaLog2). METHODS: Eight individuals with hypophonia secondary to PD were randomly assigned to two treatment groups- VF and LSVT LOUD® (Group 1) and VF (Group 2). VF was provided using VocaLog2 device. Duration of treatment was 4 weeks for both groups. Vocal intensity was measured in the real-life environment at baseline, during treatment, and at one-month follow-up. Vocal intensity in clinic was obtained at baseline and one-month follow-up. Voice Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaire was administered at baseline and one-month follow-up. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in conversational vocal intensity between a) clinic and real-life environment at any point of time b) baseline and follow up for both treatment groups c) the two treatment groups at baseline, during each of the 4 weeks of treatment and at follow up d) VHI baseline and one month follow up scores. CONCLUSION: VF, including when combined with LSVT LOUD®, is limited in improving conversational vocal intensity in real-life in IwPD. The effects of frequency and duration of VF on conversational vocal intensity must be systematically investigated using large scale studies in IwPD.

The Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) in People with Parkinson's Disease Before and After Intensive Voice and Articulation Therapies: Secondary Outcome of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The majority of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience voice and speech problems during the course of the disease. Despite the importance of voice quality in communication and the documented disordered voice quality in PD, few studies have explored the effects of speech treatment on this variable. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: A parallel arm, unblinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with two active comparators, LSVT LOUD (n = 23) and LSVT ARTIC (n = 20), and an inactive comparator group of untreated individuals with PD (n = 22). A group of 20 healthy adults was also included for pre-treatment analysis. Voice recordings were obtained pre-treatment, immediately post-treatment and at 6-month follow-up. The acoustic voice quality index (AVQI) is reported here as a secondary outcome measure of the RCT. Linear mixed-effects regression analysis was performed with AVQI and sound pressure level (SPL) as dependent variables. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was also conducted to explore the relationship between voice quality and SPL. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements in AVQI and SPL from pre-treatment to post-treatment and follow-up were only observed in the LSVT LOUD group. Voice quality significantly improved only from pre-treatment to follow-up in the LSVT ARTIC group, whilst significant improvements in SPL were observed during maximum phonation only immediately post-treatment. No significant changes were observed in the untreated group. DISCUSSION: This study investigated the effects of intensive speech treatment targeting voice or targeting articulation on voice quality, as measured by the AVQI, in individuals with PD. Findings indicate that voice-focused treatment leads to greater improvements in voice quality in this population.

Immediate and long-term effects of speech treatment targets and intensive dosage on Parkinson's disease dysphonia and the speech motor network: Randomized controlled trial.

This study compared acoustic and neural changes accompanying two treatments matched for intensive dosage but having two different treatment targets (voice or articulation) to dissociate the effects of treatment target and intensive dosage in speech therapies. Nineteen participants with Parkinsonian dysphonia (11 F) were randomized to three groups: intensive treatment targeting voice (voice group, n = 6), targeting articulation (articulation group, n = 7), or an untreated group (no treatment, n = 6). The severity of dysphonia was assessed by the smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) and neuronal changes were evaluated by cerebral blood flow (CBF) recorded at baseline, posttreatment, and 7-month follow-up. Only the voice treatment resulted in significant posttreatment improvement in CPPS, which was maintained at 7 months. Following voice treatment, increased activity in left premotor and bilateral auditory cortices was observed at posttreatment, and in the left motor and auditory cortices at 7-month follow-up. Articulation treatment resulted in increased activity in bilateral premotor and left insular cortices that were sustained at a 7-month follow-up. Activation in the auditory cortices and a significant correlation between the CPPS and CBF in motor and auditory cortices was observed only in the voice group. The intensive dosage resulted in long-lasting behavioral and neural effects as the no-treatment group showed a progressive decrease in activity in areas of the speech motor network out to a 7-month follow-up. These results indicate that dysphonia and the speech motor network can be differentially modified by treatment targets, while intensive dosage contributes to long-lasting effects of speech treatments.

PD Check-In: The development and trial of a supported self-management program for people with Parkinson's disease following intensive speech intervention.

BACKGROUND: Debilitating speech and communication changes in Parkinson's disease (PD) lead to diminished quality of life for people with PD and their communication partners. Maintenance of the long-term effects of treatment such as LSVT LOUD® remains equivocal. Development of supported long-term maintenance programs is warranted. AIMS: This article describes the development and preliminary outcome data for PD Check-In, a supported self-management intervention for the maintenance of speech and social communication for people with PD following LSVT LOUD. METHODS & PROCEDURES: A narrative literature review of the principles of self-management and social cognitive theory of self-regulation was conducted to develop the core elements of PD Check-In. PD Check-In was conducted in person by a speech and language therapist (SLT) for three participants at 6 and 12 weeks, and at 6, 12 and 24 months following LSVT LOUD. Outcome measures included vocal intensity (SPL) during monologue and the dysarthria impact profile (DIP). PD Check-In utilized semi-structured discussion to develop, evaluate, and support the self-efficacy and skill of the person with PD in maintaining speech and social communication. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Six conceptual elements of PD Check-In were identified in the development phase: partnerships, self-reflection, maintenance issues, revision, goal-setting and maintenance strategies. Preliminary intervention data revealed monologue vocal intensity at 24 months post-LSVT LOUD was maintained above pre-treatment level, but below levels achieved post-treatment. The psychosocial impact of speech changes from pre-LSVT LOUD to 24 months post-treatment as measured by the DIP was variable. Qualitative statements reflected participant experiences underlying the clinical data. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: The theoretical and practical underpinnings of PD Check-In were defined. The impact of PD Check-In on three persons with PD was variable but positive. Further evaluation of the model is warranted. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject LSVT LOUD provides efficacious treatment for the speech disorder associated with PD. Long-term maintenance of speech post-treatment varies following self-managed and group therapy interventions. People with PD have an unmet expectation of long-term maintenance of speech and improved quality of life following intensive treatment. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study describes the development of a novel clinic-based approach to long-term maintenance of speech in PD based on the principles of self-management and self-efficacy. It provides preliminary data to demonstrate the method and its effects on three participants with varying speech difficulty, self-management skill development and psychosocial impact. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? The positive impact of PD Check-In on the maintenance of monologue vocal intensity above baseline 24 months post-intensive treatment was independent of the variable impact on the quality of life of the participants. Further exploration of PD Check-In is warranted to determine the efficacy of this approach.

Intensive voice treatment (the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment [LSVT®LOUD]) for individuals with Wilson's disease and adult cerebral palsy: two case reports.

Objective: In this case report, we aimed to examine the effects of an intensive voice treatment (the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment [LSVT®LOUD]) for Wilson's disease (WD), and adult cerebral palsy (CP), and dysarthria.Method: The participants received LSVT®LOUD four times a week for 4 weeks. Acoustic, perceptual (GRBAS) analyses were performed and data from the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) were obtained before and after treatment.Results: Besides the Harmonics-to Noise Ratio (HNR) value (dB) of the participant with WD, for both participants' fundamental frequencies (Hz), jitter (%), and shimmer (%) values showed significant differences (p < .05) after therapy. Both participants showed significant improvements (p < .05) in the duration (s) and the sound pressure level (dB, SPL) of sustained vowel phonation (/a/), in SPL (dB) of pitch range (high and low /a/) and reading and conversation (p < .01). There was a positive improvement in the high-frequency values (Hz) of both participants but not in the low-frequency values (Hz) in the participant with WD. Perceptual analysis with GRBAS judgements of sustained vowel (/a/) and paragraph reading of two participants also showed improvement. After therapy, perceived loudness of the participants' voice increased.Conclusions: The findings provide some preliminary observations that the individuals with WD and the adult individuals with CP can respond positively to intensive speech treatment such as LSVT®LOUD. Further studies are needed to investigate speech treatments specific to WD and adult CP.

Single Word Intelligibility of Individuals with Parkinson's Disease in Noise: Pre-Specified Secondary Outcome Variables from a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) Comparing Two Intensive Speech Treatments (LSVT LOUD vs. LSVT ARTIC).

The majority of people with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience both prosodic changes (reduced vocal volume, reduced pitch range) and articulatory changes (imprecise articulation) that often limit speech intelligibility and may contribute to significant declines in quality of life. We conducted a randomized control trial comparing two intensive treatments, voice (LSVT LOUD) or articulation (LSVT ARTIC) to assess single word intelligibility in the presence of background noise (babble and mall). Participants (64 PD and 20 Healthy) read words from the diagnostic rhyme test (DRT), an ANSI Standard for measuring intelligibility of speech, before and after one month (treatment or no treatment). Teams of trained listeners blindly rated the data. Speech intelligibility of words in the presence of both noise conditions improved in PD participants who had LSVT LOUD compared to the groups that had LSVT ARTIC or no treatment. Intensive speech treatment targeting prominent prosodic variables in LSVT LOUD had a positive effect on speech intelligibility at the single word level in PD.

Neurobehavioral Effects of LSVT® LOUD on Auditory-Vocal Integration in Parkinson's Disease: A Preliminary Study.

Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) are impaired in auditory-vocal integration, characterized by abnormal compensatory responses to auditory feedback errors during self-monitoring of vocal production. The present study examined whether auditory feedback control of vocal pitch production in PD can benefit from Lee Silverman voice treatment (LSVT® LOUD), a high effort, intensive speech treatment for hypokinetic dysarthria in PD. Before and immediately after LSVT LOUD, 12 individuals with PD were instructed to produce sustained vowel sounds while hearing their voice unexpectedly pitch-shifted by -200 cents. Their vocal responses and event-related potentials (ERPs) to pitch perturbations were measured to assess the treatment outcomes. A group of 12 healthy controls were one-to-one pair matched by age, sex, and language. Individuals with PD exhibited abnormally enhanced vocal and ERP P2 responses to pitch perturbations relative to healthy controls. Successful treatment with LSVT LOUD, however, led to significantly smaller and faster vocal compensations that were accompanied by significantly larger P2 responses. Moreover, improved vocal loudness during passage reading was significantly correlated with reduced vocal compensations for pitch perturbations. These preliminary findings provide the first neurobehavioral evidence for beneficial effects of LSVT LOUD on impaired auditory-vocal integration associated with PD, which may be related to improved laryngeal motor functions and a top-down modulation of the speech motor network by LSVT LOUD.

Effects of an intensive voice treatment on articulatory function and speech intelligibility in children with motor speech disorders: A phase one study.

Producing speech that is clear, audible, and intelligible to others is a challenge for many children with cerebral palsy (CP) and children with Down syndrome (DS). Previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of using the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®) to increase vocal loudness and improve speech intelligibility in individuals with dysarthria secondary to Parkinson's disease (PD), and some research suggests that it also may be effective for individuals with dysarthria secondary to other conditions, including CP and DS. Although LSVT LOUD targets healthy vocal loudness, there is some evidence of spreading effects to the articulatory system. Acoustic data from two groups of children with secondary motor speech disorders [one with CP (n = 17) and one with DS (n = 9)] who received a full dose of LSVT LOUD and for whom post-treatment intelligibility gains have been previously reported, were analyzed for treatment effects on: 1) vowel duration, 2) acoustic vowel space and 3) the ratio of F2/i/ to F2/u/. Statistically significant changes in vowel duration and acoustic vowel space occurred pre-treatment to 12 weeks post-treatment in the CP group, and increased acoustic vowel space was observed in 5 of the DS participants. The present study provides preliminary evidence of intensive voice treatment spreading effects to the articulatory system in some children with CP and children with DS consistent with previous findings in other populations.

The Effects of Lee - Silverman Voice Treatment on Voice and Swallowing Functions in a Case with Bilateral Striopallidodentate Calcinosis.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral striopallidodentate calcinosis (BSPDC) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by abnormal calcium accumulation in the basal ganglia, dentate nucleus, and semioval center. Speech, voice, and swallowing abnormalities can be associated with the disease. However, there are a limited number of studies regarding the speech and swallowing characteristics of this disease in the literature. Lee-Silverman voice therapy (LSVT-LOUD) is a structured speech therapy method that can be used to treat neurogenic conditions. AIMS: The main purpose of this article was to document the effects of LSVT-LOUD on voice and swallowing functions in a case of BSPDC. DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: A comprehensive voice and swallowing evaluation, including objective methods, was conducted before therapy and at post-therapy follow-ups (FU) after 3 months and 6 months. RESULTS: The voice and swallowing parameters were substantially improved at the 3-month FU; at the 6-month FU, the improvement in swallowing function was still preserved; however, the improvement in voice function had regressed. CONCLUSION: LSVT-LOUD may improve the voice and swallowing functions of patients with BSPDC. However, long-term retention of the effects of LSVT-LOUD should be investigated in future studies.

Effect of Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®) on swallowing and cough in Parkinson's disease: A pilot study.

PURPOSE: Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®) is an effective therapy for phonation in Parkinson's Disease (PD) but little is known about any additional spread of effects to swallowing and cough function. This pilot study examined the effect of LSVT LOUD on pharyngeal swallowing parameters and reflexive cough strength. METHODS: Twenty participants (14 men, 6 women; mean 68years, SD3.5) with PD referred for LSVT LOUD with complaints of voice deterioration were recruited. Mean duration of PD was 6yrs., SD 3. Self-reported Eating Assessment Tool-10 scores ranging from 0 to 25 (normal<3). Prior to LSVT LOUD, 1-week post- and 6-months post-treatment, participants undertook a videofluoroscopic study of swallowing and aerodynamic measures of involuntary cough. RESULTS: All participants completed the LSVT LOUD programme; 3 participants were lost to follow-up at 6-months. All participants made significant gains in average sound pressure level (dB SPL). Aspiration was not observed. Pharyngeal residue (p<0.05) and pharyngeal area at rest reduced (p<0.01) while maximal opening of pharyngoesophageal segment (PES) (p<0.05) and PES opening duration (p<0.05) significantly increased. There was a significant improvement in involuntary cough peak expiratory flow rate and peak expiratory flow rise time. All changes were maintained at 6-months. CONCLUSION: LSVT LOUD demonstrates additional spread effects on pharyngoesophageal deglutitive function and involuntary cough effectiveness in people with mild PD referred with voice complaints. Consequently, LSVT LOUD has potential to provide additional benefits for swallowing safety and efficiency in this patient group.

Changes in White Matter Integrity following Intensive Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®) in Children with Cerebral Palsy and Motor Speech Disorders.

Preliminary evidence suggests that intensive voice and speech treatment based on activity-dependent neuroplasticity principles holds promise for affecting positive change in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and motor speech disorders. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) allows researchers to make inferences about the integrity of white matter tracks and provides a sensitive measure of neuroplasticity. Previous treatment studies looking at the effects of training on white matter integrity have shown positive results, but these studies have been limited to gross motor function. Eight children with motor speech disorders and CP (3 females; age 8-16 years) and an age- and sex-matched group of typically developing (TD) children participated. Each child with CP completed a full dose of LSVT LOUD® and a 12-week maintenance program. Participants attended 3 recording sessions: before and after treatment, and after the maintenance period. TD children were tested at the same 3 time points. Recording sessions for both groups of children included measures of white matter integrity using DTI and acoustic measures of voice and speech. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was measured for 2 motor tracts and 5 association tracts. In children with CP, we observed an increase in FA in several motor and association tracts immediately following treatment and 12 weeks after treatment. Acoustic data on untrained tasks were correlated with changes in FA detected immediately following treatment and after the 12-week maintenance program. These findings suggest that long-term practice of skills attained during the treatment phase enhances white matter tract integrity in speech production networks.

Therapeutic effects of intensive voice treatment (LSVT LOUD®) for children with spastic cerebral palsy and dysarthria: A phase I treatment validation study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to validate and extend the evaluation of treatment outcomes following LSVT LOUD® in children with dysarthria secondary to cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: Seven children (5 females, 6-10 years) with spastic quadriplegia and dysarthria received LSVT LOUD. Outcomes included: (a) quantitative and qualitative indices of communication and social functioning representing therapeutic effects and (b) features of the acoustic signal representing physiological effects on the speech mechanism. A matched group of typically developing children served as controls. Testing occurred just prior to (PRE), immediately following (POST), and at 12 weeks post-treatment (FUP). RESULT: Expert listeners preferred voice quality and articulatory precision of children with CP at FUP as compared to PRE. Acoustic data indicated improvements on select measures of vocal functioning at POST with some maintenance at FUP. Single word intelligibility improved immediately POST, but was not maintained at FUP. Parents rated positive changes in characteristics of voice and speech and qualitative changes in communication at both POST and FUP. CONCLUSION: The present study validated some of the previous LSVT LOUD outcomes in children with dysarthria and CP and extended our understanding of therapeutic effects through qualitative data obtained from extensive parent interviews.