Parkinson’s Treatment Programs

RVNAhealth lsvt big and loud therapy for parkensonsRVNAhealth offers two therapies geared toward improving function in those with Parkinson’s disease—LSVT* LOUD® (*Lee Silverman Voice Treatment) and LSVT BIG®. Often referred to as “the incredible shrinking disease,” Parkinson’s is a degenerative condition characterized by a progressive loss of motor function, impacting both speech and movement. Parkinson’s affects nearly a million Americans today. Both programs address the progressive loss of motor function that impacts speech and movement in those with the disease.

RVNAhealth offers the LSVT BIG & LOUD Programs in patients’ homes and at the RVNAhealth Parkinson’s Center in Ridgefield, CT.

Our Approach

Patients may access RVNAhealth’s LSVT BIG & LOUD therapies in the home with a physician’s referral.  Outside the home, physical therapy is offered, with a physician’s referral, at our Rehabilitation & Wellness Center in Ridgefield, CT.  Therapists are also available to consult with patients to determine if the LSVT programs are right for them.  As always, RVNAhealth provides one-on-one, personalized, and collaborative therapy to help you achieve your goals.  Please contact our offices at (203) 438-7862 for more information about this type of Parkinson’s treatment or to schedule an appointment. 

Main Location

RVNAhealth
27 Governor Street
Ridgefield, CT map ››
Phone: (203) 438-7862

Hours:
M, W 8:15 am–6 pm;
T, Th, F 8:15 am–5 pm;
Some weekend appointments

GPC Location

Golf Performance Center
824 Ethan Allen Highway
Ridgefield, CT map ››
Phone: (203) 438-7862

Hours:
M, W 8:15 am–6 pm;
T, Th, F 8:15 am–5 pm;
Some weekend appointments

LSVT LOUD

LSVT LOUD tackles the soft voice, mumbled speech, monotone speech and hoarse voice that often afflict Parkinson’s patients. Structured activities that work the patient’s vocal range teach them to increase volume without straining their voices.  In each session, the therapist takes the patient through a series of rigorous vocal exercises that alternate between loud and soft.

The ultimate goal is to improve loudness, improve speech intelligibility, increase facial expression, and improve confidence.

LSVT BIG

LSVT BIG addresses the problem of patients’ movements becoming smaller and more tentative as their disease progresses. This program aims to retrain a patient’s brain, so their perception of their movement is more accurate, and they become able to move with more amplitude. In each session, the therapist takes the patient through a series of seven whole-body exercises that involve reaching up and down and moving side to side or back and forth. Exercises are all exaggerated to reinforce that the patient needs to make his or her movements bigger.

LSVT BIG also incorporates training in any daily task that causes the patient difficulty. This can be something as simple as picking up a hairbrush to more involved tasks such as doing laundry or getting in and out of a car.

To schedule an appointment or inquire about therapy services:

OUTSIDE OF HOME

For therapy services at one of our facilities, call (203) 438-7862
or email rehabcenter@rvnahealth.org

IN HOME

For therapy services through our home health services, call (203) 438-5555 or email intake@rvnahealth.org