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MLHS Offers Specialized Rehab for Parkinson’s and Other Neurological Conditions
July 24, 2025
Mille Lacs Health System offers specialized rehabilitation services using the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) therapeutic approach. LSVT is a standardized, evidence-based treatment method designed to improve function and slow deterioration in individuals with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions, including dementia.
Our certified rehabilitation team delivers both LSVT BIG® and LSVT LOUD® therapies. LSVT BIG is a high-intensity, movement-amplitude-based therapy that helps individuals recalibrate how they move, addressing the reduced range and slowness often seen in neurological conditions. Backed by research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), this program has demonstrated improvements in gait speed, balance, trunk mobility, and activities of daily living.
The program follows a structured schedule of 16 one-on-one sessions over four weeks—four sessions per week, each lasting 60 minutes. Treatment is tailored to individual needs and supported by daily homework and carryover activities. The goal is to improve both gross and fine motor function, restoring more natural movement in everyday life.
LSVT LOUD targets voice and speech impairments by helping individuals produce speech at a more normal volume. Patients learn to recalibrate their voice and articulation to improve intelligibility and confidence in communication. Like LSVT BIG, this program consists of 16 intensive sessions across four weeks. Patients are guided to improve not only loudness but also articulation and clarity. Early intervention often leads to the best results, but people at any stage can benefit.
Research supports LSVT LOUD as more effective than traditional speech therapies for individuals with Parkinson’s, and it has shown additional promise for those with progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome.
These therapies are delivered by a team of certified professionals who specialize in neurological rehabilitation and are committed to compassionate, individualized care. Patients work with experienced clinicians, including speech-language pathologist Sara Schewe, MS, CCC-SLP; physical therapists Jen Zimpel, PT, MPT, and Tammy Browning, PT; occupational therapist Laura Bly, OTR/L; and physical therapist assistant Norm Johnson, PTA.
We are committed to helping individuals living with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions maintain independence, improve quality of life, and move and speak with greater confidence. If you or a loved one is experiencing changes in movement or communication, our team is here to help.