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University Parkinson's research in Thermopolis

Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) Raegan Stanley, M.S., CCC-SLP from Thermopolis is collaborating in a research study for the University of Wyoming dealing with a treatment technique for Parkinson’s patients.

Parkinson’s is a degenerative neurological disease that affects numerous individuals. Stanley states that a common Parkinson’s symptom is speech impairment. The treatment technique being studied is called Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT) Loud. This technique was developed in 1985, and there is a plenty of evidence proving the efficacy of LSVT Loud. However, this research project is looking at how effective the technique is when delivered by teletherapy. Establishing the efficacy will result in much needed information for insurance companies to justify reimbursement.

Teletherapy is a growing area of practice among therapists. Teletherapy works by utilizing the computer in a videoconference system. Stanley states the LSVT Loud software works really well in teletherapy to gather data during the sessions. Another benefit is that the program gathers data during the client’s daily homework sessions. The main advantage for our area if this proves to be a viable way to deliver this treatment would be that remote individuals would have access to services that would otherwise be logistically challenging.

LSVT Loud requires one-hour sessions four days a week for the first month. Stanley says this could be problematic if, for example, a patient was in Manderson and the closest LSVT certified SLP was in Cody. Currently, there are only 12 LSVT certified clinicians within the entire state of Wyoming, mostly in Cheyenne and Laramie, so this is a very realistic example.

Stanley doesn’t analyze the data herself. There are research assistants/grad students who perform the analysis. However, she states anecdotally that her patients have improved. The real test, according to Stanley, is if the patients are able to maintain these gains by completing the homework. There are weekly check-ins for the second month and then check-ins at three and six months.

 

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