Speech therapy for a person with Parkinson’s usually involves standard
techniques which lack any individual speech and psychological stimulation to
create empathy in the listener. An
important part of speech is to communicate in an empathetic manner and to manage
expression, rhythm, accent and sound. We
are each born with a unique voice and it is important that any therapy respects
the person’s natural voice, cultural background and personality.
Liedtherapy is a phono-psycho-motory approach – that is it deals with
sound, mind and movement - developed by Ambra Noèover recent years to help people with
Parkinson’s improve their voice and speech.
The main aim of the technique is to maintain a person’s vocal ability
for as long as possible. To do this over 100 exercises are available to adapt to the person and the stage of their
Parkinson’s as well as their personality. There are also further exercises to stimulate the
memory and the connection between voice and movement. Liedtherapy also encourages individuals to study
their own voice and this can improve the synchronisation between breaths and the muscles
that regulate deep and high notes, helping to produce a natural
voice ‘lifting’ that improves vocal quality.
Inspiration for this technique comes from ‘lied’, a high vocal style that
includes poetry, music, interpretation and idiom perfection. The breathing
technique taught to singers makes them aware of their body as a resonance box
and stimulates their abdominal muscles as well as the scalenes, larynx and pharynx
muscles. Liedtherapy aims to improve volume, expression and prosody (poetic rhythm) in people with Parkinson’s and as a result the person may seem
more serene, happier and more interested in what they and those around them are doing. In
short, the technique aims to provide natural and effective stimulation.
The exercises are not demanding in terms of energy. Some who have attended the Liedtherapy course
have performed a short dialogue in public for some years now, showing
competence, expression and rhythm [insert photo]. The technique also helps to encourage a more upright position, as well
as improved facial expression.
For more information please contact Ambra Noè ambra.noe@libero.it Further information on Liedtherapy can also
be found in Italian at http://www.cantoterapia.biz/
