Know LSVT Voice Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease
One of the techniques of speech therapists is LSVT which stands for Lee Silverman Voice Treatment – is a treatment for especially Speech disorders which is associated with Parkinson’s disease.
This program focuses on increasing the loudness of vocal. This technique has been developed by Mrs. Lee Silverman in 1987.
LSVT program has shown many benefits for Parkinson’s Patients.
- Improving the patient’s voice quality and loudness and also improve the articulation of speech.
- Improving the modulation of the tone of the voice.
- Your breathing is the power of your voice. An exercise that keeps your speech and voice strong.
LSVT program is delivered during hour-long sessions with a speech therapist. The purpose of this session is the idea of “thinking loud in order to speak loud”.
By regular following big movements, patients will move much better, with more confidence and safety. Equally, with the patients maintain improved speech and volume.
Together, LSVT helps improve the quality of life and potentially reduce the burden of care for people with PD.
What is Voice Aerobics?
This is an exercise for people with changes in speech due to PD, neurological problems. This Voice Aerobic focuses on breath support, vocal function techniques.
Few Techniques to Keep Speech & Voice Strong for Parkinson’s People
Exercise No: 1
- Sit or stand tall & then you inhale through your nose, feel your ribs and belly expand as you fill your lungs with air.
- Continue to take several deep breaths from your diaphragm. The diaphragm is a large main muscle located at the base of the lungs and plays a vital role in the breathing process. Abdominal muscles help move your diaphragm.
- Exhale gradually through your mouth as you are blowing out a candle.
Exercise No: 2
- Take a deep breath and then push from your diaphragm as you say, “AH” for minimum of 15 seconds. You just feel that your voice fills the room. Now You push from your diaphragm & say each sound ( “OH”, “OO”, “MM”, “EE”) for at least 15 seconds.
- Next step, first take a deep breath and then slide up and down your pitch range by first saying “OH” and then “EE.” (This Pitch refers to how high or low the sound is) Continue to alternate between these two sounds for 30 seconds.
Exercise No: 3
- Now we will work a little bit more on volume. Take a deep breath, then tell the name of the days of the week as loud as you can. You also should try the month’s name, the alphabet, lastly, counts from 1 to 20.
- Saying tongue twisters might also improve your ability to talk clearly as a result of it provides you apply enunciating. Tongue twisters also will exercise the muscles in your lips, face, and tongue, which may profit your voice. Make sure that you exaggerate the sounds of each word that you speak as you say the tongue twisters. Start slowly and progressively speed up your recitation of the phrases.
Practice “P” words by reciting “Peter Piper picked a peck of piquant peppers.”
For “N” and “U” words, try, “You know New York. You need New York. You know you need unique New York.”
Give your tongue a workout by repeating, “Red leather, yellow leather” over and over.
Exercise No: 4
- Say Hi /Hello in a soft voice
- Now say Hi /Hello in your COMFORTABLE LOUD voice.
- Now take in a deep breath and say hi/hello in your LOUDEST VOICE.
Exercise No: 5
- To improve your voice for speaking, you will need to exercise it on a regular schedule. Warm your voice before using it extensively, but also practice vocal exercises twice per day for the best results. Try setting aside 15 minutes to do vocal exercises when you wake up. Then do them again before you go to bed, such as while you are making dinner or taking a bath.
Exercise No: 6
Say the following longer sentences in a loud and clear voice
- How was your day? What all did you do?
- I am hungry. I will have lunch now.
- Are you reading the newspaper? please give it to me when you are done.
Exercise No: 7
It is a clarity exercise for Parkinson’s patient.
- Repeat each of the following syllables loudly and clearly 5 times.
- Place a hand on your throat and say “KA” five times. Now say “GA” in the same way.
- Say “MA” five times. Use your lips to say it. Now say “PA” and “BA”
- Now use our tongue, touching it to the upper palate(or roof of our mouth) and say “TA” 5 times. Then “DA” or “LA”
- Now bite your lips and say “FA” 5 times. And now let us say “VA” 5 times.
- Lastly, say “HA” and “SA”
Exercise No: 8
- Fill in your cheeks with air while keeping the lips tightly closed. Hold this position for 5 counts. repeat 5 times.
- Say ‘ eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee’ and stretch the mouth as much as possible. Hold this position for 5 counts. Repeat 5 times.
- Say ‘ahhhhh’ and open the mouth as wide as possible. Hold this position for 5 counts. Repeat 5 times.
- Say ‘oooooo’ with your lips in a whistling position. Hold this position for 5 counts. Repeat 5 times.
- Say ‘mmmmmm’ and press the lips together in a normal position. Hold this position for 5 counts. Repeat 5 times.
Know more: Finger exercise for Parkinson’s people
More Tips to Improve Voice Quality
- Try to practice reading the road signs in a strong voice as you drive or ride down the road.
- Practice reading with a loud voice with expression. If any sentence completes with a question mark Or an exclamation, Use your tone and pitch to show this.
- Do you have any favorite song? Try to sing with a comfortable pitch range whenever you want. Patients with PD have conveyed that they can sing nice and clear, but when it comes to speaking it gets gibberish!! Hence more voice training can be done through singing.
- When you are talking, if you feel that you are running out of breath, pause more often and take an extra breath.
- Speak slowly but clearly & loudly as much as you can.
- Use short phrases. Say one or two words per breath.
- Choose any comfortable posture during long and stressful conversations.
- Do regular exercises that intend to strengthen weakened muscles.
If some people have difficulty understanding you, the following strategies may help
- If you are able to write without any problem, then carry a paper and pen as a backup so you can write down what you are trying to say.
- If writing is difficult, use an alphabet board to point or scan to the first letter of the words that are spoken.
- If people have not understood your word, then spell words out loud or on an alphabet board
- Establish the topic before speaking.
- Use telegraphic speech. Leave out unnecessary words to communicate the meaning of the topic.
Exercise improves your muscle strength and boosts your endurance. Exercise provides oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. You have to do Pranayam, Yoga, free-hand exercise to see yourself active.
As we all know but, never do. Know the benefits of exercise that improve your mood and reduce anxiety, depression, increase the energy level, reducing the risk of chronic disease, provides blood flow to the brain and helps brain health and memory, get better sleep, get rid of muscle stiffness.
Dr. Paresh Doshi
Dr. Paresh Doshi is the Director of Neurosurgery at the Jaslok hospital in Mumbai. He has been featured several times as top neurosurgeon in Mumbai/ Best Neurosurgeon in Mumbai. His main area of interest is Parkinson’s disease and surgery for Parkinson’s disease. He has the experience of the largest number of Deep Brain Stimulation surgery in India. He also offers surgical treatment for Depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). He is interested in writing for various health-related topics.
Listen to what our patient say
