Rehabilitation Programs (Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy)
Exercise and rehabilitation are an important part of care for the person living with Parkinson’s. There are a number of programs designed especially for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. This is a partial list of evidence based programs that have been shared with us. The American Parkinson Disease Association supports a national exercise and therapy helpline. To speak with a physical therapist, call 888-606-1688 or email them at rehab@bu.edu. For more information, please visit www.bu.edu/neurorehab.
Community Wellness Physical Therapy Programs, LSVT BIG (Physical Therapy), LSVT LOUD (Speech Therapy), and Other Therapy Programs
Community Wellness Physical Therapy Programs for individuals with Parkinson’s disease are now offered in several Massachusetts communities.
The Wellness Program is designed to help individuals with Parkinson’s disease living in the community learn to manage their health more effectively in order to improve day-to-day functioning and quality of life. Under the guidance of licensed physical, occupational, and speech therapists, participants will learn exercises and a problem solving approaches to managing daily mobility, self-care, and communication issues which often interfere with function and quality of life.
These programs have been developed from a model established at Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Healthcare professionals from interested agencies collaborate and receive intensive training by staff from Boston University’s Sargent College and the BU Department of Neurology. These initiatives are supported in part by the American Parkinson Disease Association.
LSVT BIG® and LSVT LOUD® are intensive therapy programs administered to an individual with Parkinson’s by a rehabilitation specialist ( PT, OT, Speech). To learn more about these programs, visit http://www.lsvtglobal.com/.
SPEAK OUT!® is an evidence-based program and therapeutic approach developed by Parkinson Voice Project that combines education, individual speech therapy, and ongoing group sessions to help people with Parkinson’s improve their speech and voice. To learn more or find a local therapist, visit https://www.parkinsonvoiceproject.org/providers.aspx.
Virtual – University of Massachusetts Amherst
This wellness group, supported by a grant from the American Parkinson Disease Association Massachusetts Chapter, will focus on techniques and education for improving and strengthening your communication, cognition, and swallowing skills. This group is led by Lisa Sommers, MA, CCC-SLP (a LSVT certified instructor), and a group of graduate students from UMass Amherst’s Center for Language, Speech, and Hearing. Contact Lisa Sommers for more information about dates and times.
This program is being delivered virtually.
Location: At Home, via Zoom
Contact: Lisa Sommers, 413-545-4010
Attleboro, MA – LSVT® LOUD Program at Sturdy Memorial Hospital
Lee Silverman’s Voice Treatment LOUD (LSVT® LOUD) is an intensive, evidence-based speech therapy program. All speech therapists are certified through LSVT Global, which includes extensive training and examination. This treatment approach has been validated to drastically improve voice loudness/quality.
For more information or to schedule an appointment:
Contact: Sturdy Memorial Hospital Parkinson’s Program Speech Therapy
Times: By Appointment Only
Phone: 508-236-7380
Agawam, MA – LSVT® BIG and Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery
Dr. Katrina Banks, PT, DPT, NCS is a Neurologic Physical Therapist in Western MA who works with people with Parkinson’s. Programs include LSVT BIG and Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery.
Click here to visit the Neurologic Optimal Wellness Physical Therapy website to learn more.
Location: Neurologic Optimal Wellness Physical Therapy, 67 Hunt Street, Suite 207, Agawam, MA 01001
Contact: Dr. Katrina Banks, PT, DPT, NCS
Phone: 413-318-4776
Email: neuroptnow@gmail.com
Boston, MA – Community Wellness Program at Boston University Sargent College
Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences is offering a six-week Community Wellness Program for people with Parkinson’s disease. Expanding our continuum of care within the community supports our commitment to excellence and optimal patient outcomes.
Location: Sargent College at Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
Contact: 617-353-7525
Boston, MA – Speech & Language Assessments at Boston University Sargent College
The Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences at Boston University Sargent College offers a number of free screening programs for people with Parkinson’s. Click here to see a flyer with more information.
Location: Via Zoom and at Sargent College at Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
Contact for Assessments: 617-353-7491
Contact for BrainFit Program: 617-358-1730
Boston, MA – LSVT® LOUD Program at Boston Medical Center
Lee Silverman’s Voice Treatment LOUD (LSVT® LOUD) is an intensive, evidence-based speech therapy program. All speech therapists are certified through LSVT Global, which includes extensive training and examination. This treatment approach has been validated to drastically improve voice loudness/quality.
For more information or to schedule an appointment:
Contact: Boston Medical Center Voice and Swallowing Center in the Department of Otolaryngology
Times: By Appointment Only
Phone: 617-638-8124
Boston, MA – LSVT® BIG Program at Spaulding Outpatient Center Boston
LSVT is an intensive, evidenced-based physical therapy program. All physical therapists are certified through LSVT global which includes extensive training and examination. This treatment approach has been validated to drastically improve walking/general physical function. The program has expanded to include a physical therapy specific approach to improve movement patterns. This is known as LSVT BIG®. We will teach you how to avoid inactivity, enhance your movements during everyday activities, and better your quality of life.
Contact:
Kaitlyn Cashman, PT, DPT
Phone: 617-952-6535
Email: kcashman1@mgb.org
Elizabeth Johnson, PT, DPT
Phone: 617-952-6294
Email: ejohnson52@mgbihp.edu
Location: Spaulding Outpatient Center, Boston – 300 First Avenue, 2nd Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129
Boston, MA – PWR! Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery at Spaulding Outpatient Center Boston
We believe in the need for a new healthcare paradigm for people with Parkinson disease that integrates physical/occupational therapy goals with community-based exercise and wellness programs – starting at diagnosis and continuing for life! This coordination of care between PD-specialized therapists and fitness/wellness professionals helps people with PD live their best and continue doing what they love to do. Our team translates cutting-edge research on exercise and brain change into programs which can be implemented by healthcare and fitness professionals around the world, increasing awareness of and access to Exercise4BrainChange® for all people with Parkinson disease.
Contact:
Kaitlyn Cashman, PT, DPT
Phone: 617-952-6535
Email: kcashman1@mgb.org
Location: Spaulding Outpatient Center, Boston – 300 First Avenue, 2nd Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129
Boston, MA – SPEAK OUT! and LOUD Crowd at Northeastern University
SPEAK OUT!® & The LOUD Crowd® is a clinically proven speech therapy approach developed by Parkinson Voice Project that combines education, individual speech therapy, and ongoing group sessions to help people with Parkinson’s improve their speech and communication. Northeastern University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the Bouvé College of Health Sciences is providing these services free of cost through participation in a research study investigating the effectiveness of this treatment on speech intelligibility and communicative participation.
Click here to see a flyer with more information.
For more information or to schedule an appointment:
Contact: Elizabeth Martin
Times: By Appointment Only
Phone: 617-373-6891 or e.martin@northeastern.edu
Braintree, MA – Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital
This Parkinson’s Wellness Program is led by physical, occupational, and speech-language therapists, providing:
- Balance training
- Communication skills training
- Education for lifestyle changes specific to the condition
- Exercise programs for strengthening and cardiovascular health
- Functional mobility training for home and the community
This program takes place in seven-week sessions. For more information or to register contact Anna Kerrigan.
Location: Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, 250 Pond Street, Braintree, MA 02184
Contact: Anna Kerrigan, 781-348-2110
Bridgewater, MA – Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater State University’s Speech-Language-Hearing Center is a comprehensive treatment program for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease that incorporates both individual and group treatments. This is a no-fee-for-service clinic staffed by a team of clinical educators who supervise graduate students in Speech Language Pathology. Click here for more information, including a link for referring a client or family member.
Location: Burnell Hall, Room 128, Bridgewater State University, 66 Hooper Street, Bridgewater, MA 02325
Contact: (508) 531-1720 or SLHC@bridgew.edu
Cape Cod- LSVT® BIG and LOUD Programs at Spaulding Outpatient Centers
LSVT stands for “Lee Silverman Voice Treatment”, which was developed in the 1980’s with funding from the family of a Parkinson’s patient (Lee Silverman) to improve her ability to communicate. LSVT is an intensive, evidenced-based speech and physical therapy program. All speech and physical therapists are certified through LSVT global which includes extensive training and examination. This treatment approach has been validated to drastically improve voice loudness/quality and walking/general physical function.
More recently, the program has expanded to include a physical therapy specific approach to improve movement patterns based on the same principles. This is known as LSVT BIG®. We will teach you how to avoid inactivity, enhance your movements during everyday activities, and better your quality of life.
Orleans, MA- Spaulding Outpatient Center Orleans
LSVT LOUD® program
LSVT BIG® program
Please call 508-240-7203 for more information.
Yarmouth, MA – Spaulding Outpatient Center Yarmouth
LSVT BIG® program
Please call 508-771-1300 for more information.
Hyannis, MA – Spaulding Outpatient Center Hyannis
LSVT BIG® program
Please call 508-771-1300 for more information.
Sandwich, MA – Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Outpatient Center Sandwich
LSVT LOUD® program
Please call 508-833-4141 for more information.
Concord, MA – LSVT® BIG Parkinson’s Program at Emerson Hospital
The LSVT BIG® program is an exciting research-based exercise approach effective in the treatment of people with Parkinson’s disease and other similar movement disorders. LSVT stands for “Lee Silverman Voice Treatment”, which was developed in the 1980’s with funding from the family of a Parkinson’s patient (Lee Silverman) to improve her ability to communicate. More recently, the program has expanded to include a physical therapy specific approach to improve movement patterns based on the same principles. This is known as LSVT BIG®. We will teach you how to avoid inactivity, enhance your movements during everyday activities and better your quality of life. This program includes whole body movements with large amplitudes, multiples repetitions and progressions from simple to complex that focus on high effort levels. BIG effort is the key to success!
Ideally, the program includes a four week cycle with three to four one-hour appointments per week. Depending on your condition and physical health at the time of evaluation, modification may be recommended. All Treatments are with a LSVT certified clinician.
Contact: 978-369-1400
Concord, MA – The LOUD Crowd
This class, designed for individuals who have already received SPEAK OUT! individualized speech therapy, is available to help participants maintain communication skills in a group environment.
Contact Joy Walsh for further information about session dates and times.
Location: 300 Baker Avenue, Suite 160, Concord, MA 01742
Contact: Joy Walsh, MS, CCC-SLP; jwalsh@emersonhosp.org or 978-287-8237
Harwich, MA – Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod is partnering with Boston University Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences to offer a Community Wellness Program for people with Parkinson’s disease. Expanding our continuum of care within the community supports our commitment to excellence and optimal patient outcomes.
Dates & Times: Contact Spaulding for upcoming dates and times.
Location: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 310 Route 137, Harwich, MA 02645
Contact: 508-240-7203
Holyoke, MA – LSVT® LOUD Program at Holyoke Medical Center
Holyoke, MA – Bilingual Parkinson’s Wellness Program with Debra Ellis, MS PT, NCS at Greater Holyoke YMCA
Click here to see a flyer.
This bilingual (Spanish & English) 6-week program is designed to help people with Parkinson’s build and sustain a regular exercise program. This type of program has been shown in research to help improve functional mobility, reduce Parkinson’s symptoms, and slow disease progression.
Location: Greater Holyoke YMCA, 171 Pine Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
Contact: Debra R. Ellis, MS PT, NCS at 413-695-6069, deb@debellispt.com or Mary Kate Owens at 413-534-5631 x114, mowens@holyokeymca.org
Hyannis, MA – LSVT® BIG and LOUD at Pavilion Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Pavilion Rehabilitation and Nursing Center now offers LSVT BIG and LOUD programs. All speech therapists are certified through LSVT Global, which includes extensive training and examination. This treatment approach has been validated to drastically improve voice loudness/quality.
Learn more about this program here.
Location: 876 Falmouth Road, Hyannis, MA 02601
Contact: Cindy Parker-Marney, 508-775-6663
Lebanon, NH – Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center is partnering with Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences to offer a Community Wellness Program for people with Parkinson’s disease. Expanding our continuum of care within the community supports the Center’s commitment to excellence and optimal patient outcomes.
Location: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756
Contact: Diane Sherman at 603-653-6672
Lowell, MA – LSVT® BIG and LOUD at Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital
Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital in Lowell, MA provides both LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD programs for individuals with Parkinson’s. Contact Northeast Rehab to make an appointment.
Location: Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital, 10 George Street, Suite 310, Lowell, MA 01852
Contact: 888-950-9939
Lunenburg, MA – LSVT® LOUD Program at Core Communication Center
All speech therapists are certified through LSVT Global, which includes extensive training and examination. This treatment approach has been validated to drastically improve voice loudness/quality.
Contact: Core Communication Center
Times: By Appointment Only
Phone: 978-827-0757
Email: CoreCommunicationCenter@gmail.com
Manchester, NH – LSVT® BIG & LOUD and SPEAK OUT!® & LOUD CROWD® at Catholic Medical Center
LSVT® BIG and LOUD
All speech therapists are certified through LSVT Global, which includes extensive training and examination. This treatment approach has been validated to drastically improve voice loudness/quality.
Contact: CMC Outpatient Rehabilitation at Dartmouth Commons
Location: 769 South Main Street, Suite 201, Manchester, NH 03102
Phone: 603-641-6700
SPEAK OUT!® and LOUD CROWD®
Catholic Medical Center offers a two-part speech therapy program to help individuals with Parkinson’s build and maintain effective communication. SPEAK OUT! is one-on-one therapy with a speech pathologist. LOUD CROWD is open to all who complete SPEAK OUT! and helps maintain skills in a supportive group environment.
Contact: Larissa St. Amand, MA, CCC-SLP
Times: By Appointment Only
Phone: 603-641-6700
Email: larissa.st.amand@CMC-nh.org
Medford, MA – Spaulding Outpatient Center Medford
The PD Warriors Exercise Group is an exercise group designed for people with Parkinson’s Disease. Classes include aerobic, strength, and balance exercises and are run by a physical therapist and a rehab aide.
Dates & Times: Wednesdays 3:15-4:15 pm; participants sign up for 8-week sessions, which run continuously throughout the year.
Location: Sessions alternate between virtual and in-person. Participants can choose to participate in virtual-only, in-person-only or “hybrid” (both). Virtual sessions are hosted on Zoom. In person sessions are located at Spaulding Outpatient Center Medford, 101 Main Street, Suite 101, Medford, MA 02155.
Contact: Sara Zoeller, PT, DPT: 857-238-4976 or szoeller@mgb.org
Orleans, MA – Spaulding Outpatient Center Orleans
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod is partnering with Boston University Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences to offer a Community Wellness Program for people with Parkinson’s disease. Expanding our continuum of care within the community supports our commitment to excellence and optimal patient outcomes.
Dates and Times: Contact Spaulding for upcoming dates and times.
Contact: 508-240-7203
SPEAK OUT!
The SPEAK OUT! Therapy Program, developed by Parkinson Voice Project, helps people with Parkinson’s and related neurological disorders regain and retain their speech and swallowing. This highly effective, evidence-based treatment combines education, individual therapy, daily home practice, and continuous follow-ups. Patients are empowered to “speak with INTENT,” transitioning speech from an automatic function to an intentional act.
Please call 508-240-7203 for more information
PWR! Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery
We believe in the need for a new healthcare paradigm for people with Parkinson disease that integrates physical/occupational therapy goals with community-based exercise and wellness programs – starting at diagnosis and continuing for life! This coordination of care between PD-specialized therapists and fitness/wellness professionals helps people with PD live their best and continue doing what they love to do. Our team translates cutting-edge research on exercise and brain change into programs which can be implemented by healthcare and fitness professionals around the world, increasing awareness of and access to Exercise4BrainChange® for all people with Parkinson disease.
Please call 508-240-7203 for more information
Salem, NH – Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital
Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital is partnering with Boston University Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences to offer a Community Wellness Program for people with Parkinson’s disease. Expanding our continuum of care within the community supports our commitment to excellence and optimal patient outcomes. This program runs two times per week in 9 week sessions.
Location: Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital, 70 Butler Street, Salem, NH 03079
Contact: 603-681-3210
Salem, NH – LSVT® BIG and LOUD at Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital
Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital in Salem, NH provides both LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD programs for individuals with Parkinson’s. Lee Silverman’s Voice Treatment (LSVT®) is an intensive, evidenced-based speech and physical therapy program. All speech and physical therapists are certified through LSVT global which includes extensive training and examination. This treatment approach has been validated to drastically improve voice loudness/quality and walking/general physical function. Contact Northeast Rehab to make an appointment.
Location: Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital, 70 Butler Street, Salem, NH, 03079
Contact: 888-950-9939
Watertown, MA – Community Rehab Care
This group exercise class is a collaborative program between Community Rehab Care and Boston University Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center which aims to improve overall quality of life through exercise and socialization.
Location: The Residence at Watertown Square, 20 Summer Street, Watertown, MA 02472
Contact: Gwendolyn Larsen, PT, MSPT, NCS at 617-744-8300
Wenham, MA – Gordon College Center for Balance, Mobility, and Wellness
Gordon College Center for Balance, Mobility, and Wellness is partnering with Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences to offer a Community Wellness Program for people with Parkinson’s disease. Expanding our continuum of care within the community supports the Center’s commitment to excellence and optimal patient outcomes.
Minimum criteria for successful participation:
- Must be able to walk 150 feet with or without assistive device (cane or walker)
- Able to get up and down from the floor with assist of chair or minimal manual assist
- Safely able to stand independently (with walker as needed)
A screening will be performed for each participant before the class. Please feel free to call if you have questions or concerns about ability to participate.
Dates and Times: Contact Gordon College for session dates and times.
Location: Gordon College Center for Balance Mobility, and Wellness, 26R Hull Street, Wenham, MA 01984
Contact: 978-867-4095
Western, MA – Debra Ellis, MS PT, NCS
The Boston University Center for Neurorehabilitation has an evidence based group exercise program for people with Parkinson’s disease that gives you the tools to get started with exercise and keep going. This class is led by certified physical therapist Debra R. Ellis, MS PT, NCS.
Dates & Times: Contact Debra Ellis for more information about session dates and times
Locations:
- Hampshire Athletic Club, 90 Gatehouse Road, Amherst, MA 01002
- Greenfield YMCA, 451 Main Street, Greenfield, MA 01301
- YMCA of Greater Westfield, 67 Court Street, Westfield, MA 01085
- Springfield Jewish Community Center, 1160 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA 01108
- Hampshire Regional YMCA, 286 Prospect Street, Northampton, MA 01060
Contact: Debra R. Ellis, MS PT, NCS, 413-695-6069 or deb@debellispt.com
Winchester, MA – Healthy Aging Physical Therapy at-Home PT and OT (serving communities north of Boston)
Healthy Aging Physical Therapy is an Outpatient at Home Physical and Occupational Therapy practice that offers specialized care for patients with Parkinson’s living in the following communities:
Peabody, Wakefield, Lynnfield, Middleton, Reading, North Reading, Stoneham, Melrose, Winchester, Medford, Malden, Arlington, Belmont, Concord & Lexington, Massachusetts.
Healthy Aging Physical Therapy offers both BIG/LSVT & PWR! Moves Therapies and accepts Medicare Part B, Blue Cross Blue Shield and most Managed Medicare Plans. Healthy Aging Physical Therapists also teach fitness classes in the community allowing our patients and clients to continue to stay active with us even after discharge from therapy. We offer weekly POWER over Parkinson’s classes in both Wakefield and Melrose, as well as Strong and STEADI strength and balance classes in Winchester, Arlington and Wakefield, Massachusetts that are also a great class for people with Parkinson’s Disease.
Click here to visit the Healthy Aging PT website to learn more.
Contact: Dr. Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist, 617-398-4508 or Katie@HealthyAgingPT.com
Worcester, MA – LSVT® LOUD and Monthly Voice Group at Saint Vincent Hospital
Lee Silverman’s Voice Treatment (LSVT®) is an intensive, evidenced-based speech and physical therapy program. All speech and physical therapists are certified through LSVT global which includes extensive training and examination. This treatment approach has been validated to drastically improve voice loudness/quality and walking/general physical function.
Saint Vincent Hospital Speech Therapy Department hosts both LSVT LOUD for individuals and a monthly voice group to help individuals enhance and maintain their speech quality.
Please note: While the Monthly Voice Group is on a drop-in basis, programs like LSVT LOUD must be scheduled ahead of time (contact information listed below).
Location: Saint Vincent Hospital, 123 Summer Street, Worcester, MA 01608
Contact: 508-363-6205
Monthly Voice Group (Drop-In, no registration necessary)
Dates: Second Wednesday of the Month
Time: 10 AM – 11 AM
Location: Saint Vincent Hospital Conference Room B
Worcester, MA – Weekly Exercise Group with LSVT® BIG at Saint Vincent Hospital
