Abstract
Three cases of Parkinsonian plus syndrome with associated moderate to severe speech and voice deficits are presented. Each subject completed an intensive 1 month course of the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment. Acoustic analysis was completed on experimental variables collected pre-treatment, immediately post-treatment and 6 months post-treatment. Measures of intensity and maximum duration of sustained vowel phonation and intensity and fundamental frequency variability during reading and speaking improved in all three subjects following voice therapy. These changes were reflected in perceptual ratings of loudness, monotonicity, slurring and overall intelligibility completed by the patients and family members. The effects of intensive voice therapy on functional communication skills in this population is discussed.
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