Vocal Exercises Protect Your Ability to Swallow and Speak

Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder, so it’s important to keep everything moving, said Hanah McCabe, MS, CCC-SLP. This is why you should exercise every day–not just your limbs, but especially your vocal folds. McCabe is a speech therapist at Gritman Therapy Solutions, where she sees patients with Parkinson’s and related disorders. She spoke at the March meeting of the Peer2Peer Parkinson’s disease support group.

Your vocal folds, also called vocal cords, are two muscular folds inside your larynx that vibrate when you talk or sing. They work together to help you breathe and swallow your food safely. Swallowing disorders are common in people with Parkinson’s, said McCabe.

McCabe is certified in the SPEAK OUT!® Therapy Program. This program helps people with Parkinson’s and related disorders regain and retain their speech and swallowing. The program’s aim is to have patients speak with “intent.” McCabe said speaking with intent means to focus; concentrate; be purposeful; be mindful; take control of your speech; put forth conscious effort; say it like you mean it; and be deliberate. McCabe guides her patients through special exercises that help them strengthen their vocal folds. When you make your vocal folds stronger, she said, that helps you with your swallowing. The program was developed by the Parkinson Voice Project, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

McCabe taught the Peer2Peer group the following three exercises to help them warm up their vocal folds. She said when you do them, use your best voice with good intent. Be deliberate, hold your focus, and concentrate on the sounds you are making.

MAY-ME-MY-MOE-MOO

Say these words slowly, but as you do, lift your voice and project it forward. Repeat five times.

AHHHHHHHH

Say “ahh” with a good quality, intentional voice for 6-8 seconds. Lift your voice and project it forward. Repeat five times.

GLIDES

At a comfortable pitch, produce a steady “ahh.” Think of your voice as an elevator going from a low floor to a high floor. Glide up the floors with your voice. Stop. Produce a steady “ahh” at that level. Glide down the floors with your voice. Stop. Lift your voice and project it forward. Repeat five times.

The Parkinson Voice Project has other speech exercises on their web site that people can try.

If you’re starting to notice changes in your voice or swallowing, said McCabe, get a referral to the speech therapy department at Gritman Therapy Solutions for a Speak Out Evaluation. This is covered by Medicare.