ABSTRACT

Background and objective: Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which balance problem is one of the debilitating sign which is not responsive to treatment with medication. Several researches that examined the effect of LSVT big have recommended benefits relevant to a variety of outcomes. Nonetheless, very little consensus reviews have synthesized research findings across the spectrum of balance. The objective of the study is to find the effectiveness of LSVT BIG exercise to improve balance in mild to moderate stage Parkinson’s patients.

Methods: 30 patients with idiopathic PD fulfilling the inclusion criteria were recruited after obtaining an informed consent. The subjects were divided into two groups i.e., experimental and control group. Pre & Posttest measures were taken using Berg Balance Scale. The experimental group subjects received LSVT BIG training & conventional exercises and control group received conventional group of balance exercises. The intervention spanned for 1 hour session, 4 consecutive days a week for 4 weeks.

Result: Both the experimental and control group showed improvement in balance performance after receiving the intervention. But the experimental group showed greater improvement (P=0.005) as compared to the control group with constant  practice in the BIG training of Parkinson’s patients as determined by the Berg Balance scale.

Conclusion: The study documented the impact of LSVT Big training, on balance parameter. The study postulates that it is powerful in its ability to improve balance in mild to moderate Parkinson’s patients.

Keywords: Lee Silvermann Voice Treatment (LSVT) Big exercise; Parkinson’s disease; Balance; Berg Balance scale; Neurorehabilitation.