LSVT BIG – New breakthrough for patients with Parkinson’s disease
- Empowers people with PD with their potential to improve!
- Lifelong habit to practice, as intensive practice is important for plasticity (movement ability)
- Delivered 1 on 1 by a certified LSVT BIG Physical or Occupational therapist
Several research articles have shown that LSVT BIG participants walk faster with bigger steps, decrease their fall risk and fear of falling, increase their trunk rotation, and improve their independence with daily activities.
Essential Concepts of the program
- Target Amplitude
Bigger movements to take into the real world and every day activities
Faster walking with bigger steps
Improved balance
- Task Specific
Fits into people’s everyday living
Patient specific goals they want addressed
Trains in dual and complex tasks
- Sensory Calibration
Develops awareness that current motions are slow and small. Only then can they be changed!
Encourages the change to larger, faster movements
- High Effort
Increases brain activation
Need to over-ride bradykinesia (slow movement) and hypokinesia (decreased body movement) which are two main motor symptoms of PD
Resets brain to what is considered “normal movement”
- Intensity
Intensive treatment of 4 consecutive visits per week for 4 weeks, total of 16 sessions
One hour visits for maximum results
Daily at-home exercises to help carry-over motions and habits
- Quantification
Standard program that can then be individualized to specific patient needs
Patient motivated and with feedback greatly encouraged
Objective measures to document improvement