Comparing face-to-face and online LSVT®LOUD speech training using LSVT®Coach in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a pilot randomised controlled trial
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: LSVT®LOUD is an intensive speech therapy targeting voice amplitude, incorporating proprioceptive feedback and auditory-vocal self-monitoring, delivered through 16 one-hour sessions over a month with a high-effort approach. This study aimed to investigate preliminary effects of LSVT®LOUD teletherapy (LSVT®LOUD-tele) in comparison to traditional face-to-face LSVT®LOUD therapy (LSVT®LOUD-FTF) in people with PD and hypokinetic dysarthria, and to assess the usability of the LSVT®LOUD-tele software and the feasibility of a full-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT). Using a pilot RCT, 20 people with PD and hypokinetic dysarthria were assigned to either LSVT®LOUD-tele or LSVT®LOUD-FTF, receiving 60-min sessions 4x/week for 4 weeks, along with home-based practice maintaining the same intensity and frequency in both conditions. Primary outcome was voice loudness (sound pressure levels [SPL]). Secondary outcomes included voice handicap, dysarthria-related QoL, HRQoL, and depression, assessed at baseline and post-intervention. The feasibility of conducting a full-scale RCT based on predetermined criteria (33% recruitment rate, 85% retention rate, 75% adherence rate, and high intervention safety) and the usability of the LSVT®LOUD-tele software were assessed post-intervention. Nineteen participants completed the study (10 women). The LSVT®LOUD-FTF group showed improvements in vowel ‘Ah’ and ‘high-pitched A’ SPLs (Hedge’s g = 1.416 and 0.826), while both groups showed increases in ‘low-pitched A’ and good quality loud voice SPLs (g = 0.148; g = 0.211). No changes were observed in everyday phrases SPL (g = 0.167) for either intervention, and both groups showed improvements in text reading (g = 0.436) and conversation SPLs (g = 0.345). Subjective voice handicap improved in both groups (eta squared [η2] = 0.259), while only LSVT®LOUD brought improvement to total dysarthria-related QoL (η2 = 0.747). HRQoL improvements were noted in activities of daily living, cognition, and bodily discomfort domains after LSVT®LOUD-FTF, and in communication after LSVT®LOUD-tele (η2 = 0.054–0.386). LSVT®LOUD-FTF led to small improvements in depression, with no significant differences noted between groups. Good-to-excellent usability of LSVT®LOUD-tele was observed, and the feasibility of a full-scale RCT was supported by high overall recruitment, retention, and adherence rates, with no adverse events reported. Both LSVT®LOUD-tele and LSVT®LOUD-FTF appear effective for people with PD and hypokinetic dysarthria, and the feasibility of a full-scale RCT was confirmed. Larger studies are needed to validate these findings. German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00027825 . Registered on 13.01.2022.
Source: BMC Neurology
Authors: Elisabeth Kratz, Judith Scheffer, Dieter Volc, Barbara Seebacher
Language: English
Topic: Voice and Speech Disorders
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
OpenAlex ID: W4409834762