Efficacy of LSVT-LOUD Therapy on Voice, Speech, and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease
ConditionParkinson's Disease (PD)
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age40-80
SponsorAtlas University
About this trial
Parkinson's disease often causes speech and voice impairments, such as reduced vocal loudness and decreased speech intelligibility, which significantly impact the quality of life for patients and their families. The Lee Silverman Voice Therapy-LOUD (LSVT-LOUD) is a specialized, evidence-based speech therapy protocol designed to improve vocal function.
This study investigates the effectiveness of the LSVT-LOUD protocol in Turkish-speaking individuals with Parkinson's disease. The research evaluates objective changes in vocal loudness and speech quality, as well as the subjective therapy experiences of participants. By analyzing both clinical outcomes and patient feedback, this study aims to contribute to the clinical application and adaptation of LSVT-LOUD for the Turkish-speaking population
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
None
Disqualifiers
None
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
LSVT-LOUD Therapy
BehavioralThe LSVT-LOUD protocol is a structured, intensive speech treatment specifically designed for individuals with Parkinson's disease. The intervention follows a standardized format: 4 individual 60-minute sessions per week for 4 consecutive weeks (total of 16 sessions). The core exercises include: Daily Tasks: Sustained phonation (holding 'ah' at a loud, stable pitch), pitch range exercises (high and low), and maximum duration of vowel phonation. Functional Speech Tasks: Practicing high-effort vocalization using functional phrases, sentences, and hierarchical reading/conversation tasks in clinical sessions. Carryover Exercises: Daily homework and 'real-world' assignments to facilitate the generalization of increased vocal loudness and speech quality into everyday life. The therapy emphasizes high-effort motor output, sensory recalibration (helping the patient perceive their 'loud' voice as normal), and intensive repetition to maximize neuroplasticity and therapeutic outcomes.
Treatment groups
24 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: LSVT-LOUD Therapy GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Control GroupNo intervention 0 interventions
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Qualitative Therapy Experience
Semi-structured interview form conducted with participants and their primary caregivers to explore subjective therapy experiences, including motivation, challenges, perceived benefits, and communication improvements. Analysis performed using thematic analysis methods.
Time frame
Post-therapy (4 weeks)2
Vocal Intensity (Loudness)
Measured through acoustic analysis of sustained phonation and standardized speech tasks to evaluate changes in vocal intensity. - Decibels (dB)
Time frame
Baseline (pre-therapy), post-therapy (4 weeks), 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up.3
Acoustic Voice Stability (Jitter and Shimmer)
Evaluation of vocal stability by measuring cycle-to-cycle variability in fundamental frequency (Jitter) and amplitude (Shimmer) during sustained vowel phonation. - Unit of Measure: Percentage (%)
Time frame
Baseline (pre-therapy), post-therapy (4 weeks), 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up.4
Fundamental Frequency (F0)
Mean fundamental frequency of the voice during sustained phonation. - Hertz (Hz)
Time frame
Baseline (pre-therapy), post-therapy (4 weeks), 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up.Secondary outcomes
1
Voice Handicap Index (VHI)
Total score of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) to assess the impact of voice problems on quality of life. - Score (Scale: 0-43)
Time frame
Post-therapy (4 weeks)2
Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39)
Assessment of Parkinson's disease-specific health-related quality of life using the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). The questionnaire evaluates several domains including mobility, activities of daily living, emotional well-being, and communication. Unit of Measure: Score (Scale: 0-156)
Time frame
post-therapy (4 weeks)Sponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Source ClinicalTrials.gov