Clinical Research
Lee Silverman voice therapy can improve the speech of Chinese-speakers with Parkinson′s disease
Li Yongxue, Tan Mingdan, Fan Hao, Li Jingting, Xu Zhiqin, Bian Ruihao, Chen Xi
Published 2020-03-25
Cite as Chin J Phys Med Rehabil, 2020,42(03): 245-248. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-1424.2020.03.013
Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Lee Silverman voice therapy (LSVT) on the speech and life quality of Chinese persons with Parkinson′s disease (PD).
MethodsA total of 16 Chinese PD patients were enrolled and given standard LSVT for 4 weeks. Their acoustic data were analyzed using PRAAT software before and after the treatment. Their voice quality was evaluated using the Japanese GRBAS voice scale and their quality of life was quantified using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) scale.
ResultsAfter 4 weeks of LSVT the patients′ average voice and life quality had improved significantly. The average maximum duration of sustained vowel phonation had increased significantly, as had the vowels′ mean loudness, reading and monologue delivery. The GRBAS grading indicated that hoarseness had decreased significantly. The average total voice handicap index had also decreased significantly.
ConclusionLee Silverman therapy can significantly improve maximum phonation time and loudness of Chinese-speakers, which enhances sensory feedback. The quality of their speech and of their life also improve significantly. This technique is recommended for clinical application.
Key words:
Lee Silverman; Voice therapy; Parkinson′s disease; Speech disorders; Voice quality; Life quality
Contributor Information
Li Yongxue
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
Tan Mingdan
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
Fan Hao
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
Li Jingting
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
Xu Zhiqin
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
Bian Ruihao
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
Chen Xi
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China