Benefits of Speech/Voice Therapy and Programs
As Parkinson's progresses, the person with PD may become harder to understand. Their voice often becomes softer (hypophonia) or hoarse. Their face may become more “masked” or expressionless. Their voice may sound monotone or have less inflection. They may speak faster (festinating speech), mumble, or repeat words or phrases (cluttering or palilalia). Together these symptoms are known as hypokinetic dysarthria.
Speech/language pathologists, also called speech therapists, are specialists in communication disorders. They can help those with Parkinson's compensate for these changes. They can also help with swallowing issues. Many speech therapists combine speech, voice, and cognitive exercises to also compensate for slowed thinking and attention issues.
We also have a page for Speech/Voice Classes and Groups.
If you live on the San Francisco Peninsula or in the South Bay, Stanford Parkinson's has a list of speech therapists with experience treating Parkinson's. If you live elsewhere in Northern California, check with your local PD support group or contact the Stanford APDA Information & Referral Center for a referral to a speech/language pathologist near you.
Overview of Issues and Treatment
Building Stronger Caregiving Partnerships Through Better Communication
By Parkinson’s Foundation, December 1, 2018
Diminished communication significantly impacts the social, emotional and physical burdens of caregiving. In this hour-long presentation at the Parkinson’s Foundation Caregiver Summit, Angela Roberts, PhD, explains how changes in speech, cognition and hearing due to PD (and normal aging) affect communication. She offers specific strategies for optimizing communication.
Make Your Voice Heard! Healthy Communication and Parkinson's Disease
By American Parkinson Disease Association, 2019
This 17-page booklet describes changes to the voice, speech, facial expression, and cognition due to Parkinson's disease, along with treatment options and things you can do right now to compensate for these changes. Includes a voice handicap index and caregiver questionnaire at the end.
Therapy for Cognitive Issues
How Can Speech Therapy Help with Thinking Changes in Parkinson's
By Parkinson's Foundation, August 16, 2021
Darla Freeman, SLPD, took about 20 minutes to explain that speech pathologists can help with speech enunciation and voice volume, and also with cognitive problems, memory, word finding, the ability to think of what you want to say, and drooling. She provided some tips for each of those challenges and talked about how speech therapy is conducted before answering listener questions for the rest of the hour.
Two Speech Therapy Programs
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT)
LSVT-LOUD is an intensive behavioral treatment program that requires sixteen therapy sessions in one month with a trained speech therapist. The primary goal is to help improve vocal loudness. As a result of therapy, improvements in speech clarity and breathing are often seen. Videos for at-home treatment are available. You can also search for an LSVT-certified clinician.
Parkinson Voice Project
For online participants, treatment begins with a speech evaluation, followed by Parkinson's information sessions and SPEAK OUT! training with six weeks of follow up. Participants graduate to the LOUD Crowd daily home speech practice, weekly online singalongs, SPEAK OUT! refresher courses, and more.
Demonstration
Practice Vocal Exercises for Parkinson's
By Davis Phinney Foundation, April 15, 2020
In this 23-minute episode of The Parkinson's Podcast, Davis Phinney and his daughter and podcast host, Kelsey Phinney, practice and explain some vocal warmup exercises before Davis sings a few pop songs. Davis's voice gets louder and clearer over the course of the session and is a good demonstration of the benefit of speech therapy and daily practice of speech exercises, including singing, for those with Parkinson's.
Exercise Videos
Dual Task Training For Parkinson
By Triad Solutions, Inc.
Dual Task Training is combining speech therapy with physical movement and cognitive tasks. It has been shown to be the most comprehensive and fun type of speech therapy. This page has seven short dual task exercise videos plus one video of aquatic dual task training.
Keep On Moving, Exercises to do at Home
By Keep It On
This video, part five of a five-part series, is an eight-minute breath and voice exercise video to enhance breathing, voice loudness and articulation.
Speak Out! Home Practice Sessions
These live and lively, online daily home speech practice sessions are intended for graduates of Speak Out PD speech therapy, but are available to anyone. Every session is recorded. There are also weekly sing-a-longs.
Voice Aerobics Post-Therapy Strengthening Program
By Voice Aerobics (Punta Gorda, FL)
A whole-body voice strengthening program designed as post-speech therapy maintenance, developed by speech language pathologist Mary Spemulli, who offers the program on DVD with speech practice tools and volume reinforcement tools, plus provides speech therapy and coaching via Zoom (telemedicine rates start at $40/30 minutes). Before purchasing, watch her video Speech Therapy and Beyond for Parkinson's Disease where she explains who benefits from speech therapy and the most effective programs for those with PD.
Last updated September 2025 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.