If you have ever completed formal speech therapy related to Parkinson’s disease, you most likely graduated with a list of itemized tasks to continue at home. The purpose of this to-do list was to promote maintenance of the skills taught in therapy. Your speech language pathologist (SLP) undoubtedly delivered a pep talk about extending the benefits of your hard-earned progress by completing the exercise regimen consistently outside of the therapy room. Perhaps your SLP also outlined the anticipated long-term relationship you may have with vocal exercise and aided you in setting up cues in your daily environment to preserve loud and clear speech. Sound familiar?

On the other hand, you may be unacquainted with the role of SLPs in Parkinson’s disease. Speech and voice issues are among the various symptoms that can be addressed in a therapy setting. If you or someone you know with Parkinson’s want to learn more about speech therapy and how it applies to PD-related vocal changes, read this overview first.

In the meantime, these activities assist in maintaining what you worked so hard to accomplish in therapy and may even extend the timeline of returning to therapy for a tune-up. All vocal exercises are best completed daily with the use of an intentional and loud voice. When practicing, your voice should be loud enough that someone else in the house can hear you but not so loud that they might believe you are in distress or an emergency situation.

The five activities below are not a replacement for therapy. The best way to ensure you have the support you need is to discuss a referral to speech therapy with your movement disorder specialist, as soon as possible as you may benefit from an individualized speech/voice therapy plan to jumpstart your stronger voice.

STRONGER VOICE ACTIVITIES

1. Warm up your voice at the start of the day using a loud and intentional voice to hold out “AH” for as long as you can on one breath. Complete 5 times to prepare your vocal cords for clear communication.
2. Read 1-2 news articles from the day aloud. Focus on using an intentional voice as if you are the anchor reporting the news.
3. Choose a previously planned activity you complete daily or weekly that will last at least 3-5 minutes. Use a loud and intentional voice the entire time. A few suggestions include scheduled conference calls, singing in the shower, talking with kids/grandkids about their day, etc.
4. Call a friend or family member and use your confident voice to check in on them, ask about their day, and tell them a personal update (see if they notice!)
5. Pick one activity that requires you to move your body such as doing the dishes, taking a short walk with a family member, or folding the clothes. Do your best to maintain a casual conversation with someone WHILE doing this motor task. When you are finished, ask them if they could hear and understand you the entire time you were multi-tasking.

 
Sticking to a daily exercise program of any kind is rigorous work. A few tips that can increase consistency include completing the exercises at the same time every day, integrating vocal exercise into activities you already have planned, asking a trusted friend or family member to assist with accountability, and using material you find enjoyable or interesting for vocal practice.

A final recommendation during the present COVID-19 pandemic: Stay connected. Increased time alone and decreased access to activities like your weekly boxing class, visiting with family members, or walking at a park with a friend may lend itself to feelings of isolation. Fortunately, there is a thriving PD presence online. If you are struggling to find community, reach out!