Big Moves, Big Impact: Improving Life with LSVT BIG for Parkinson’s
What is it?
LSVT is an intensive amplitude-based therapy program for the limb motor system. In other words, it is a high intensity exercise regimen aimed at improving the quality of movements by encouraging high effort.
Who is it for?
The program is designed for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. It is aimed at improving their overall mobility by retraining their sensorimotor system.
How does it help?
Improves an individual’s ability to “calibrate” their movements. Cardinal symptoms associated with Parkinson’s are tremors, short shuffling gait or freezing. LSVT trains individuals to recognize the effort required to overcome or avoid these issues.
What to expect?
LSVT is a standardized application during which participants attend 60 minutes therapy sessions 4 consecutive days per week for 4 weeks. In addition, they are given 30 minutes of daily homework practice and 30 minutes of daily carryover exercises.
LSVT BIG: A Powerful Approach to Mobility for Parkinson’s Patients
When living with Parkinson’s disease, even everyday movements can feel like monumental tasks. That’s where LSVT BIG steps in, a specialized therapy designed to help individuals with Parkinson’s rediscover the power and precision of their movements.
What is LSVT BIG?
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) BIG is an intensive, amplitude-based therapy program that targets the limb motor system. In simpler terms, it’s a structured, high-effort exercise regimen that helps individuals improve their movement quality through large, exaggerated motions.
LSVT BIG focuses on retraining the brain and body to move with more purpose and strength. The underlying principle is to “think big,” which means encouraging patients to use bigger and more deliberate movements in order to counteract the small, slow motions commonly seen in Parkinson’s disease.
Who Can Benefit?
LSVT BIG is specifically designed for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. As Parkinson’s progresses, it can alter the way people perceive and control their own movements. The program is tailored to help retrain the sensorimotor system, which governs how movement is initiated and controlled.
Whether a person is newly diagnosed or in later stages, LSVT BIG offers a science-backed intervention to improve day-to-day function and independence.
How Does It Help?
Parkinson’s disease is associated with several motor symptoms such as:
Tremors
Shuffling gait
Slowness or freezing of movement
These changes often go unnoticed by patients because of impaired internal feedback. What feels like a “normal” movement to them may actually be too small or slow. LSVT BIG addresses this issue by helping individuals recalibrate their movements, teaching the brain to recognize and reproduce movements at the appropriate intensity.
With regular participation, patients often report improvements in walking, balance, posture, and overall confidence in movement.
What to Expect from the Program
LSVT BIG is a standardized four-week program consisting of:
Four 60-minute therapy sessions per week (Monday–Thursday)
Daily homework practice (30 minutes)
Daily carryover exercises (30 minutes)
Each session is led by a certified LSVT BIG therapist and follows a specific structure to ensure maximum benefit. The intensive nature of the program is key—it creates a consistent and challenging environment that drives meaningful neuroplastic change.
Participants are also taught how to integrate BIG movements into their daily activities, making the skills learned in therapy directly applicable to real-life tasks.
Rediscover Movement with LSVT BIG
If you or a loved one is living with Parkinson’s disease, LSVT BIG can be a life-changing step toward improving mobility and reclaiming independence. By focusing on “thinking big,” this powerful therapy empowers individuals to break through physical limitations and move with purpose once again.
Contact the team at Madrid Home Rehab at (515) 217-4821 to find out if LSVT BIG is right for you.
