Lee Silverman Voice Technique (LSVT) Therapy

What Can LSVT Therapy Do for Me?

One of the biggest problems faced in daily life by people with Parkinson’s disease, as well as other neurological conditions, is difficulty in moving around. In the case of Parkinson’s, this is because people with this condition find themselves only able to make slow, short movements. The highly effective treatment modality called LSVT BIG can help reverse this symptom, allowing individuals to move better and regain independence, allowing them the ability to participate in activities of daily living.

JAG Physical Therapy’s LSVT-certified therapists use this method to treat people with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Schedule your appointment today, contact us with any questions, or read on to learn more about how LSVT works.

How LSVT BIG Treatment Works

LSVT BIG aims to help people move, work with their hands, and generally use their bodies better by targeting fine and gross motor skills. Studies have shown LSVT BIG therapy results in improvement on the widely-used Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale for many patients, and this treatment has given people all over the world greater confidence and more ability to do the things they love.

The principle of LSVT BIG is a “recalibration” of natural movement. LSVT BIG works by changing perception – patients are able to realize the difference between how they see their movements versus what is actually occurring, and work to correct those differences by moving more quickly, more decisively, and in a greater range.

According to LSVT Global, the certifying organization for this therapy, research on LSVT BIG has documented improvements in patients’ lives including:

• Faster walking with bigger steps
• Improved balance and reduced risk of falling
• Increased trunk rotation
• Improvements in activities of daily living such as bed mobility
• Improved UPDRS Motor Score
• Improved multitasking with walking

LSVT BIG is a standardized treatment protocol that is customized to the unique goals of each individual. LSVT BIG can be adapted or progressed to meet each patient’s needs across a range of disease severity and impairments. The goal of LSVT BIG is to restore normal movement patterns in everyday activities.

LSVT BIG treatment always consists of:

• Large amplitude exercises for the whole body
• Personalized functional skills practice
• 16 sessions, 4 consecutive days a week for 4 weeks
• 60-minute one-on-one therapy sessions
• Daily home exercise practice

It is essential that LSVT BIG treatment is only delivered by physical and/or occupational therapists who are certified in this method.

Prescriptions for LSVT BIG therapy should include “PT and/or OT evaluation and treatment”.

• “LSVT BIG” is not required on the prescription but is recommended.
• You can locate LSVT Certified Clinicians at www.lsvtglobal.com using the “Find LSVT Clinicians” button at the top of the page.

The Expertise of Our LSVT Therapists

JAG PT’s locations offer LSVT BIG as part of a comprehensive, individualized therapy program incorporating other modalities designed to offer relief and build physical ability for people with Parkinson’s disease. Plus, our commitment to patient education means we make sure all patients know how to consistently practice and apply what they’ve learned in LSVT BIG at home and in the community.