LSVT BIG
LSVT stands for “Lee Silverman Voice Treatment” and was developed by Dr. Lorraine Raming. The program was first developed to “recalibrate” patients with Parkinson’s disease to speak louder at home, work and the community. It did so well that it was then incorporated with body movements to have patients with Parkinson’s to perform “BIG”, exaggerated moments. People with the Parkinson’s disease tend to move smaller and slower, LSVT BIG teaches them to focus on large amplitude movements to recalibrate their perception on how they move and perform their normal activities.
Parkinson’s disease in a degenerative neurological disease that affects a person’s motor function.
It leads to tremors and stiffness. It can also lead to difficulty walking, balance and coordination.
My first experience with Parkinson’s disease and the LSVT BIG program was at a skilled nursing facility during my first clinical rotation as a PTA student. My clinical instructor had me shadow a PT who was working with a patient that had Parkinson’s disease. What piqed my interest was the patient traveled from Kingsman, Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada just to participate in this “special” treatment.
The patient was in his late 60’s and has been living with Parkinson’s disease for several years. He told me that no one in Kingsman, Arizona was LSVT BIG certified and the closest certified clinician was here in Las Vegas. He stated that he was willing to travel any distance if it would help slow down the effects of his Parkinson’s. I participated in the treatment and I had such a good time with the patient and the PT that it left a lasting impact on me. I saw how much the patient enjoyed the treatment and how it affected his body and mind so positively.
Several years later, once licensed and working at Optimal Therapy an Affiliated Company, I decided to become LSVT BIG certified.
I saw that there was a need, as there are only 16 clinicians in all of Las Vegas that are certified in the LSVT BIG program.
The LSVT Programs have been developed and scientifically researched over the past 25 years with funding from the National Institutes of Health.
Research on LSVT BIG has documented improved ratings on tests of motor functioning in people with Parkinson disease following treatment including:
- Faster walking with bigger steps
- Improved balance
- Increased trunk rotation
- Improvements in activities of daily living
LSVT BIG treatment consists of:
- 16 sessions: 4 consecutive days a week for 4 weeks
- Individual 1 hour sessions
- Daily homework practice
- Daily carryover exercises
LSVT BIG Treatment
- Trains a single target of amplitude (bigger movements)
- Drives intensive and high-effort required to produce normal movements
- Translates bigger movements into real-world, everyday activities
- Empowers people with PD with their potential to improve.
Jason Dalisay works at Optimal Therapy an Affiliated Company located in northwest Las Vegas.
The address is 9050 W Cheyenne Ave. Ste 210, Las Vegas, NV 89129.
To schedule an appointment call 702-564-6712 or click here to see a list of our locations.
References:
Mahler LA, Ramig LO, Fox C. (2015). Evidence-based treatment of voice and speech disorders in Parkinson disease. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015 Jun;23(3):209-15. PMID: 2594396615.
Ramig, L., et al. (2001). Intensive voice treatment (LSVT) for individuals with Parkinson disease: A two-year followup. J. Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. 71, 493-498.
Ramig, L., Sapir, S., Fox, C., & Countryman, S. (2001). Changes in vocal intensity following intensive voice treatment (LSVT) in individuals with Parkinson disease: A comparison with untreated patients and normal age-matched controls. Movement Disorders, 16, 79-83.
Jason is originally from San Diego, California. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from San Diego State University in 2005. In 2015, he graduated at the top of his class in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program from Carrington College in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jason has worked at several sports performance PT clinics throughout the Las Vegas valley. He loves treating athletes but also has a keen sense for treating post-op orthopedic patients. He is LSVT BIG certified, which is a specific treatment plan that can help Parkinson’s patients. He is also an STMT-1 certified practitioner.
Jason is an avid SDSU college basketball fan and a San Diego Chargers fan. In his spare time, Jason enjoys playing golf, traveling, and participating in obstacle course races. Jason loves spending his free time with his family.
