Customizing Care: Adapting LSVT BIG? and LSVT LOUD? for Individual Needs

LSVT BIG?and?LSVT LOUD?are well-known therapy programs designed to help individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other neurological conditions to improve their function and quality of life. Although standardized in dosage and framework, the LSVT protocols fully embrace the adage of,?“If you have seen one person with Parkinson’s, you have seen one person with Parkinson’s.”??

Every. Single. Patient. Is. Different.

Even if they have the same diagnosis, are at the same stage, and demographically look the same. This demands interventions that are flexible enough to precisely target patients’ needs while at the same time, sticking to science so they receive the outcomes you desire.

Providing personalized and precise rehabilitation requires therapists to adjust treatment intensity, adapt exercises, and train functional skills that are in accordance with the patient’s specific abilities and goals.?

Here is how that is done with LSVT.?

A Personalized Approach to Exercise?

One of the key strengths of LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD is their ability to be tailored to each person’s abilities, needs, complexities, and goals.?

The first part of every LSVT session starts with intensive practice of large amplitude exercises in LSVT BIG, or amplitude-focused vocal exercises in LSVT LOUD. While these core exercises are standardized, their performance is highly personalized. Therapists play a crucial role in determining the most appropriate level of the maximal daily exercises for each individual patient.?

The LSVT BIG exercises can be adapted to be performed in any position – standing with or without support, sitting, or even supine. Likewise, the LSVT LOUD exercises are scaled in intensity to tailor to individual needs. Repetitions of exercises can be adapted to lower reps for more advanced patients, and progressed to higher reps for high functioning patients.?

In both treatments, as patients progress, additional challenges can be added such as cognitive or motor dual tasking to further challenge patients to drive motor changes. This dynamic nature of the LSVT programs ensures that patients continue to be challenged appropriately throughout their rehabilitation journey, maximizing their potential for improvement.

Personalization of Function Focused Practice

What many people do not realize about LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD is that they go far beyond simple exercise routines focusing on “big” movements or saying “ahhh” with a louder voice.??While intensive exercise is a crucial component supported by extensive scientific research, these programs recognize that physiological improvements alone do not automatically translate into enhanced functional abilities.

The latter half of the LSVT BIG sessions are dedicated to applying increased amplitude to functional activities and walking.

This may include:

• Basic tasks: Getting up from chairs, turning, reaching for a door, or buttoning shirts
• More complex activities: Caring for grandchildren, navigating work requirements, doing laundry, or getting dressed

The program adapts to what matters most to each patient, integrating their unique needs and goals into the treatment plan.

The second half of LSVT LOUD sessions focus on improving communication in a variety of situations.

The program addresses:

• Essential communication: Expressing basic needs like hunger or bathroom use
• Professional communication: Maintaining a strong, confident voice for work-related meetings and phone calls
• Personal interaction: Enhancing communication with family and friends

If it matters to the patient, it will be woven right into their LSVT program.?

Personalization of a Long-term Plan?

After completing the initial four-week LSVT programs, patients are encouraged to continue practicing exercises daily at home and through BIG for LIFE? or LOUD for LIFE? group exercise in their community. LSVT Global also offers virtual classes through the?LSVT for LIFE? platform. Periodic?tune-up sessions?are scheduled to maintain progress and address new challenges that may appear.?

In addition, LSVT Certified Clinicians are highly qualified to recommend other community-based exercise that is supported by scientific research which patients should engage in between episodes of therapy.?

Summing it Up

LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD offer a comprehensive, personalized approach to managing symptoms related to Parkinson’s and many other conditions. By addressing both physical and communication challenges, these protocols help patients?improve their overall quality of life?and maintain independence in their daily activities.

The personalization throughout every LSVT session ensures that:

• Exercises are always challenging yet individualized.
• Therapy sessions focus on improving specific functional skills related to communication, daily activities, and mobility.
• Treatment plans evolve over the course of the month-long program, becoming more complex and challenging as patients progress.
• The therapy never becomes monotonous, boring, or overly simple for either the patient or the clinician.
• The patient has a long-term plan of care to keep their movement alive, their voice strong, and as much as possible – to slow symptom progression in the case of PD.?

For more information on the LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD therapy programs, visit the?LSVT Global website. To find a clinician in your area, search our?clinician directory. To learn about LSVT Training and Certification, visit our?store.???