16 Aug Understanding the Speech and Social Challenges in Parkinson’s Disease
Understanding the Speech and Social Challenges in Parkinson’s Disease: How the RISE Wellness Program Can Help
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is widely recognized for its physical symptoms, such as tremors and stiffness. However, those living with PD often face equally challenging issues that are less visible but deeply impactful: speech difficulties and social isolation. These problems can erode an individual’s quality of life, leading to frustration, loneliness, and a sense of helplessness. At Trio Rehabilitation & Wellness Solutions, RISE is a wellness program for people with PD specifically designed to address these challenges. We offer a comprehensive approach that empowers individuals to reclaim their communication skills and social connections.
The Speech Challenges in Parkinson’s
Speech and voice problems are common in Parkinson’s disease, affecting up to 90% of individuals as the disease progresses. These issues include:
- Dysphonia: This refers to difficulties with vocal tone, often resulting in a soft, breathy voice that can be hard for others to hear and understand.
- Monotone Speech: Many people with Parkinson’s lose the natural variation in pitch that makes speech expressive, leading to a flat, monotone voice that can make it difficult to convey emotions or emphasis.
- Imprecise Articulation: As the muscles involved in speech weaken, individuals may struggle with slurred speech, making it hard for others to understand them.
- Reduced Vocal Loudness: A common issue is a gradual decrease in the volume of the voice, which can cause significant communication barriers, particularly in noisy environments.
These speech issues are not typically responsive to traditional medical treatments, such as medication or surgery. This is because the underlying causes are related to the neurodegenerative processes in Parkinson’s that affect the brain circuits controlling motor functions, including those responsible for speech.
Social Challenges Stemming from Speech Difficulties
The impact of speech difficulties extends beyond just the mechanics of talking. When individuals struggle to communicate effectively, it can lead to profound social consequences:
- Social Isolation: Difficulty in speaking clearly can make social interactions exhausting and frustrating, leading many with Parkinson’s to withdraw from social situations altogether. Over time, this withdrawal can lead to significant loneliness and isolation.
- Stigma and Misunderstanding: The inability to express oneself clearly can result in others misunderstanding the individual’s intentions or emotions. This can lead to social stigma, where others may perceive someone with Parkinson’s as disinterested or even cognitively impaired when, in reality, they are struggling to communicate due to the disease.
- Emotional Toll: The social withdrawal and isolation caused by speech difficulties can significantly impact mental health, leading to feelings of depression and anxiety. The frustration of not being able to communicate effectively can exacerbate these feelings, creating a cycle of worsening emotional health.
How the RISE Wellness Program Addresses These Challenges
The RISE Wellness Program offers a multi-faceted approach to tackle the speech and social challenges faced by individuals with Parkinson’s. Here’s how:
- Breathing and Posture Training
Breathing difficulties are a significant concern for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The respiratory muscles, like other muscles in the body, can become weakened and less coordinated, leading to issues such as shortness of breath, reduced vocal loudness, and an increased risk of respiratory infections.
At RISE, techniques such as improving awareness of mind-body connection through diaphragmatic breathing supports good posture. Good posture and postural control, in turn, optimizes lung capacity and allows for secretions (fluids) to be cleared easier. This reduces the risk for pneumonia.
- Swallowing Difficulties
Difficulty swallowing food/drinks is primarily due to the impaired control and coordination of the muscles involved in swallowing, delayed swallowing reflexes, and muscle rigidity. These factors combine to make the swallowing process less efficient and more dangerous, increasing the likelihood of choking, aspiration, and related complications like aspiration pneumonia.
To proactively address difficulty with swallowing, the RISE program will include exercises to strengthen the tongue, throat, and lungs. Oral-motor coordination drills, education about safe swallowing practices (including knowing when to seek help from a gastroentrolgoist), as well as lifestyle modifications such as meal planning and hydration management will also be addressed.
- Vocal Loudness Training
RISE provides access to targeted Speech and Language Therapy, including interventions such as the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT). LSVT is specifically designed to help individuals with Parkinson’s improve vocal loudness and clarity. The therapy focuses on intensive exercises that train individuals to speak with greater volume and clearer articulation, helping to overcome the vocal challenges that are so common with the disease.
- Facial Exercises and Biofeedback Techniques
To counteract the effects of facial masking, RISE incorporates specific facial exercises designed to enhance expressivity. These exercises involve targeted muscle movements that help to retrain the facial muscles to improve the range of motion and expressiveness. Participants will practice these exercises regularly to maintain their benefits.
In addition, biofeedback techniques are employed to provide real-time visual and sensory feedback, helping participants become more aware of their facial movements. Biofeedback is as simple as observing your own facial expressions in a mirror or on video. This will allow participants to consciously work on enhancing expressivity, which can make a significant difference in social interactions.
- Social Engagement Activities
To combat the isolation that often accompanies Parkinson’s, RISE incorporates regular social engagement activities into its program. These activities are designed not only to be enjoyable but also to foster communication in a supportive environment. Participants are encouraged to practice their speech skills in real-life social situations, which can help build confidence and reduce anxiety about social interactions.
- Emotional and Psychological Support
Understanding the emotional toll that speech and social challenges can take, RISE encourages peer support groups as part of its wellness program. This resources provide a safe space for participants to share their experiences, learn coping strategies, and receive encouragement from others who understand their struggles.
- Education and Empowerment
RISE empowers participants by providing education about Parkinson’s disease and the tools available to manage its symptoms. Understanding why these speech and social challenges occur and how they can be mitigated helps individuals take an active role in their own care, fostering a sense of control and hope.
Why Choose RISE?
By focusing on both the speech and social aspects of Parkinson’s, RISE provides a holistic approach that can significantly improve the quality of life for those living with the disease. Participants in the RISE Wellness Program are not just managing symptoms—they are actively working to improve their communication skills, reconnect with their communities, and regain their confidence.
If you or a loved one is facing the speech and social challenges of Parkinson’s, the RISE Wellness Program is here to help. Join us and discover how our comprehensive approach can make a meaningful difference in your life. Together, we can help you rise above the challenges and embrace a fuller, more connected life.
Sources:
-
Xu, H., Bao, Z., Liang, D., Li, M., Wei, M., Ge, X., … Li, J. (2020). Speech and Language Therapy for Voice Problems in Parkinson’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 32(4), 344–351. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.neuropsych.19020044
-
Prenger, M. T. M., Madray, R., Van Hedger, K., Anello, M., & MacDonald, P. A. (2020). Social Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s disease, 2020, 8846544. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8846544