LSVT BIG Doctoral Capstone Experience

My name is Kalley O’Donnell and I am a third year entry-level occupational therapy doctoral student. This course will outline the doctoral capstone experience completed with Northern Iowa Therapy in Ankeny, IA. The project focus was on Lee Silverman Voice Training (LSVT) BIG for occupational therapy. The presentation will detail a needs assessment and literature review completed prior to the doctoral capstone experience, as well as provide in-depth information on the 14-week doctoral capstone experience.

Throughout this course, you will learn about Parkinson’s Disease and its growing incidence and prevalence within the United States. You will also learn about the intensive and evidence-based LSVT BIG program created specifically for people with Parkinson’s disease.  This course will serve as a learning tool for ways to not only implement LSVT BIG and occupation-based interventions, but will also provide you with additional knowledge on marketing strategies for LSVT BIG services. This course will detail benefits of obtaining LSVT BIG certification as a student and reveal student, clinician, and hiring manager perspectives on obtaining this certification as a student. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to view before and after progress videos from one of the patients that received LSVT BIG services during this capstone experience.

By the end of this course, participants will:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understand the need of LSVT BIG
• Distinguish barriers and possibilities for LSVT BIG telehealth services
• Recognize the growing nature of Parkinson’s Disease and the need for therapy services to address this

At the end of this course, questions will be provided to check your learning and understanding of these objectives.

If you are interested in the neurological population, specialized therapy services, Parkinson’s Disease intervention, or  planning on/currently working with geriatric populations, then this course is right for you!