10/11/2022
Vermont Sports Medicine is pleased to announce we are able to offer our Parkinson’s community a new evidenced based treatment approach for Parkinson’s, called LSVT Big program at our Rutland location.
Liz Moulton DPT is a certified LSVT Big provider who has joined our clinical team at Vermont Sports Medicine Center.
A Maine native, Lizz earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from American International College in 2018. After graduating, she moved to South Carolina where she worked in both acute and outpatient care. In 2020, she started working as a travel PT in New England, working in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Lizz is passionate about helping people reach their fullest potential and is certified in LSVT BIG for Parkinson’s Disease.
What is LSVT BIG?
LSVT BIG is a research-based protocol designed to target the challenges that individuals with Parkinson’s Disease face in the daily lives. LSVT stands for Lee Silverman Voice Treatment which was first developed in 1987 to 1989 at the Lee Silverman Center for Parkinson’s in Scottdale Arizona as a speech therapy treatment. They had excellent results and then applied the same concept to physical activities. The LSVT Big was then developed and has been researched by the Michael J Fox Foundation and the NIH to enhance this research and evidence-based treatment protocol. This treatment technique is used globally now.
What to expect with LSVT BIG Treatment?
This program is an intensive program that consists of being seen in the clinic 4 times per week for 4 weeks. There are 7 basic exercises that everyone completes with their treatment and in their home exercise program. There are 5 basic tasks that are geared towards the problems that are most concerning to the patient and then an overall goal to improve a functional task. Each treatment program is designed specifically for the patient based on their current status, needs and goals.
Who would benefit from LSVT BIG Treatment?
Any level of patient with Parkinson’s disease is appropriate for therapy as we can adapt the treatment to their current status. The earlier in the disease process the better. These are tools that they can use as the disease progresses to keep them moving. Sometimes the patient may need a refresher course and may benefit from being seen again in a year to two or 4 to 6 months depending on their staging and their progression.
What can improve with LSVT BIG?
LSVT BIG protocol focuses on amplitude of movement or how BIG the patient can move. Mobility can be improved such as walking speed, walking pattern, ease of transfers such as sitting and standing, bed mobility, ability to walk in narrow environments and to walk through doorways with less freezing.
Activities of daily living can also improve such as dressing, bathing, buttoning, cutting, eating, and writing to name a few. The other thing that can improve is the patient’s fluidity of movement and their balance. The great thing about this program is that it is tailored to each individual patient.
This program is offered currently at our Rutland location only. The LSVT Big program is covered under your physical therapy insurance benefits.
If you or your loved one suffers from Parkinson’s, talk to your doctor about the LSVT big program offered at Vermont Sports Medicine Center.
