LSVT BIG for Parkinson's Disease Program

Parkinson's Disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. Symptoms include tremors, slow movement, rigid muscles, impaired posture and balance, loss of automatic movements, speech changes, and writing changes.

Treatments for Parkinson's Disease include medications, surgery, exercise, physical therapy, and speech therapy. Call the physical therapy experts as Cooper to see if it would be the right treatment for you.

LSVT BIG is a research-based exercise approach developed from principles of the effective Parkinson’s-specific speech treatment LSVT LOUD.

The LSVT Programs have been developed and scientifically researched over the past 20 years with funding from the National Institutes of Health.

Research on LSVT BIG has documented improved ratings on tests of motor functioning in people with Parkinson disease following treatment. Improvements include:

  • Faster walking with bigger steps
  • Improved balance
  • Improved trunk rotation
  • Improvements in activities of daily living such as bed mobility

LSVT BIG is a standardized treatment protocol. LSVT BIG treatment consists of:

  • 16 sessions: four consecutive days a week for four weeks
  • Individual one-hour sessions
  • Daily homework practice
  • Daily carryover exercises 

LSVT BIG will teach people with Parkinson's disease to use BIG movements "automatically" in everyday living - and there will be long-term carryover of increased amplitude use.

It is essential that LSVT BIG treatment is only delivered by physical or occupational therapists who are certified in this method. The Physical Therapists at Cooper Bone and Joint Institute are specially trained to provide LSVT BIG treatment.

If you are interested in the LSVT BIG program, speak with your doctor to see if it would be the right treatment for you.