Specialist Programme
Parkinson's & LSVT LOUD
Evidence-based speech treatment for people living with Parkinson's and related neurological conditions.
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment
What is Parkinson's & LSVT LOUD?
LSVT LOUD is a specialised therapy technique used with people living with Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions to improve voice and speech. The technique is supported by a considerable evidence base, particularly for Parkinson's disease.
The programme focuses on improving voice loudness, with positive knock-on effects across articulation, speech intelligibility, intonation, facial expression, quality of life and day-to-day participation.
Benefits
What clients often notice
- Increased voice loudness
- Clearer articulation & intelligibility
- More natural intonation
- Improved facial expression
Your experience
What you might be experiencing
If you are living with Parkinson's, you may have noticed that your voice has become quieter over time, or that family and friends often ask you to repeat yourself. Speech can feel more effortful, your pitch may become flatter, and words can sound less crisp than they used to. Some people also notice changes to facial expression, a softer cough, or the sense that swallowing is not quite as easy as it once was. These changes are common, but they can creep in gradually, making it hard to pinpoint when everyday communication started to feel like hard work.
Over time, these difficulties can begin to shape how you live. Conversations may feel tiring, so it becomes easier to let others do the talking. Social occasions, phone calls, or meetings can feel daunting, and you might find yourself withdrawing from situations where you once felt confident. This can affect relationships, independence, and overall wellbeing. The good news is that targeted speech therapy can help you reconnect with your voice, rebuild confidence, and make communication feel more natural again.
The Evidence
How speech therapy helps
Speech and language therapy is the recommended first-line approach for the hypokinetic dysarthria seen in Parkinson's disease. Through LSVT LOUD, therapy targets the underlying neuromotor drive for voice and speech, helping people recalibrate their own perception of vocal effort and loudness. A systematic review and meta-analysis of ten randomized controlled trials found that LSVT LOUD significantly increased vocal sound pressure level and improved functional communication compared with other speech interventions or no treatment.
The benefits extend beyond volume. Research shows LSVT LOUD can improve speech intelligibility, voice quality, intonation, facial expression and confidence in everyday conversations. Because Parkinson's-related voice changes are so common - affecting communication and social participation - early, intensive speech therapy plays a key role in helping people stay connected to family, work and community life.
90%
of people with Parkinson's experience voice or speech changes
Mahler, Ramig & Fox, 2015
+7.36 dB
increase in vocal loudness after LSVT LOUD versus control groups
Pu et al. meta-analysis, 2021
+16.54
improvement in speech intelligibility scores after treatment
Pu et al. meta-analysis, 2021
10 RCTs
randomised controlled trials support LSVT LOUD's effectiveness
Pu et al. systematic review, 2021
The Programme
Parkinson's & LSVT LOUD treatment structure
A focused, intensive programme designed to build and sustain real change to voice and speech.
Initial assessment
A thorough Speech and Language Therapy assessment to plan your programme.
16 sessions
Four consecutive days a week, across four weeks of focused therapy.
1:1 for 1 hour
Each session lasts one hour and is delivered individually.
Daily practice
Homework and carryover exercises to embed progress into everyday life.
Your appointment
What sessions look like with Claire
Each session takes place in a quiet, comfortable home office with space for you to sit, move and practise using your voice. We begin with a brief check-in about how your week has been and any moments when communication felt tricky, before moving into targeted voice and speech exercises drawn from the LSVT LOUD programme. You will be guided to “think LOUD” through a series of structured drills - stretching your voice, saying everyday words and phrases with increased effort, and carrying that louder, clearer speech into short conversations. Between exercises we pause to talk through what you are noticing, adjust cues and celebrate small wins. You will see a computer screen used for visual feedback, a therapy notebook for homework, and a calm, unhurried pace that puts you at the centre of the work. Sessions are one-to-one, last one hour, and are designed to feel supportive, focused and practical - leaving you with clear carryover tasks to practise at home.
Continuing your progress
What happens after the programme?
By the end of the LSVT LOUD programme, clients notice a real difference in how loudly and clearly they can speak. Family and friends often comment first - that they no longer have to ask for repeats, that conversations flow more easily, and that they sound more like themselves again. Beyond the voice itself, many people find they have more energy for talking, feel less anxious about phone calls or social gatherings, and take part more confidently in everyday life. These changes tend to build steadily over the four weeks and then settle in as a new, more comfortable way of communicating.
Importantly, the programme does not end when the sessions finish. You will leave with a clear understanding of how your voice works, practical techniques you can continue using at home, and a personalised maintenance plan to help you keep your progress on track. Many clients choose to return for occasional top-up sessions or check-ins with Claire, giving them ongoing support as life changes. With the right habits in place, the benefits of LSVT LOUD can last well into the future - helping you stay connected, heard, and confident in the moments that matter most.
Further reading
Additional Information
Where else to find information
LSVT Global Inc. pioneered the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT). Further information about the treatment and the wider evidence base can be found on their website.
Visit lsvtglobal.comENT referral guidance
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists recommends that all voice patients are seen by an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist within 6 months prior to beginning treatment. Cornwall Speech Therapy works closely with Prof Neil Tan, Consultant ENT Surgeon.
Interested in starting Parkinson's & LSVT LOUD?
Get in touch to discuss whether Parkinson's & LSVT LOUD could be right for you or someone you care for, and to arrange an initial assessment.
Frequently asked questions