LMRVT guides vocal behavior towards producing resonant voice qualities characterized by vibratory sensations in the anterior alveolar ridge and feeling of ease during production. A configuration tailored specifically to this form of production maximizes health while simultaneously decreasing potential phonotraumatic damage (Verdolini 2000).
Additionally, the clinician designs an individualized voice hygiene program which emphasizes hydration. According to research findings, this can improve long-term learning and reduce phonotrauma.
Certification Requirements
Katherine Verdolini Abbott (Kittie) is a speech-language pathologist, author, and international trainer on Lessac Madsen Resonant Voice Therapy (LMRVT). Kittie has conducted research on the cognitive substrates of motor learning that are relevant to voice therapy since 1997. She is a master in her field and is highly respected by clinicians worldwide.
LMRVT is an evidence-based approach to treating patients with voice disorders, including recurrent vocal fold nodules and polyps. The underlying theory is that vocal fold nodules and polyps form when the voice is used in ways that damage the vibratory surface of the vocal fold. LMRVT is unique in that it promotes resonant voicing, which involves feeling vibrations in the front of the mouth. In addition, resonant voicing is easier to produce than loud phonation. This combination of easy resonant voicing and limiting the amount of vibration on the vocal folds can reduce nodule and polyp formation, as well as heal phonotraumatic nodules and polyps that have formed.
Another unique feature of LMRVT is its emphasis on individual patient needs and integration into daily life. A study led by Verdolini found that incorporating resonant voice practice into a daily lifestyle increased patient compliance and willingness to implement the technique outside of the clinic. The program also emphasizes individualized hygiene programs and stress management techniques.
Lastly, LMRVT is designed to be effective and cost-efficient. Its streamlined techniques minimize treatment time, resulting in more efficient and effective therapy sessions. In addition, its specialized equipment reduces costs associated with traditional voice therapy. In turn, this translates to lower patient co-pays and reduced insurance costs.
Benjamin M. Laitman, MD, PhD is a physician at the Grabscheid Voice and Swallowing Center at Mount Sinai Hospital. He received his medical degree and PhD from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and completed his otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency and laryngology fellowship at the institution. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Mount Sinai.
In her clinical practice, Sarah Leyko specializes in evaluation and treatment of voice and swallowing disorders in adults. She is trained in FEES, MBS, videostroboscopy, and LSVT. Her special interests include professional voice, gender affirming voice, and resonant voice therapy for phonotraumatic laryngeal nodules and polyps.
Course Description
This course provides students with a platform for exploring information and skills relevant to: (1) the societal and personal significance of voice disorders; (2) pathologies that impact vocal folds; (3) effects of selected pharmacological agents on voice quality; (4) basic voice assessment and (5) basic science principles that guide contemporary voice therapies. The seminar also presents a framework within which to comprehend various voice therapy models such as Lessac Madsen Resonant Voice Therapy (LMRVT), Casper-Stone Confidential Flow Therapy (CSCFT), evidence-based methodologies as well as integrate these with clinical reasoning and basic voice science principles.
LMRVT stands apart from traditional approaches to voice rehabilitation by emphasizing the use of resonant voice as training, with minimal risk of additional phonotraumatic lesioning. LMRVT’s barely adducted laryngeal posturing proves highly successful at meeting both objectives, and unpublished experimental data collected by Verdolini et al demonstrates its superior effectiveness at healing phonotraumatic lesions than more commonly practiced methods such as voice rest.
LMRVT places great emphasis on hygiene. Instead of prescribing an unworkable checklist of “don’ts and musts”, the clinician assists each patient in devising an individual post-therapy hygiene program tailored specifically to his or her lifestyle and individual needs.
Katherine Verdolini Abbott of the University of Delaware and internationally-acclaimed voice and speech trainer is responsible for its creation in the early 2000s. LMRVT was named after her mentors Arthur Lessac and Mark Madsen to honor them and is grounded on research conducted on resonant voice production and motor learning principles.
PBL 1 requires students to conduct an internet search and gather video, audio or blog materials that describe how a particular voice disorder has impacted an individual’s life. Testimonials from actual patients would be ideal, along with videos or audio recordings showing their speech patterns if available. Their submission must reach Professor by midnight September 4 (the day before class) via drop box submission.
Course Objectives
Lessac Madsen Resonant Voice Therapy (LMRVT) is a multidisciplinary program for treating vocal fold nodules and polyps. It aims to reduce their severity in order to enhance patients’ quality of life while decreasing surgical risks. LMRVT operates under the assumption that many symptoms associated with vocal diseases stem directly from muscle tension in the neck and thoracic cage region; consequently it attempts to address tension issues using both manual and nonverbal techniques in order to relieve it.
LMRVT stands apart in that it emphasizes training resonant voice over simply meeting medical goals like nodule and polyp reduction. Resonant voice is defined by vibratory sensations along the anterior alveolar ridge as well as easeful phonatory ease; this type of voicing corresponds with laryngeal posturing that has been proven by studies to deliver maximum vocal intensity with minimal risk of phonotraumatic injury.
LMRVT takes an integrated approach, looking at both what and how. Bridging exercises introduce patients to resonant voice behavior gradually until they can produce normal conversational speech with resonant voicing patterns. After that, clinicians assist the patients in applying this resonant behavior for louder phonation or other challenges in daily life.
Research demonstrates the significance of LMRVT’s focus on “how” when it comes to long-term learning; in order to optimize long-term progress, clinicians must limit feedback and encourage random practice of resonant voice behavior – particularly loud voice use – without restricting feedback, as this increases long-term retention (Verdolini 2004). There may also be risks in that some inspired patients may use their resonant voices outside the clinic which increases risk for further phonotraumatic injuries (Verdolini 2004).
Dr. Katherine Verdolini Abbott is an esteemed educator in voice therapy, having presented seminars worldwide. She has written two highly popular voice therapy books as well as several articles. Additionally, she created Adventures in Voice – an intensive two-day seminar which offers both webinar and face-to-face formats – providing a framework within which to understand a range of voice therapies from perspectives of biomechanics, biology and learning.
Instructors
Katherine Verdolini Abbott (Kittie) is Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Linguistics and Cognitive Science at the University of Delaware, with expertise in voice-related disorders as a clinician and international teacher of voice training. She belongs to various professional societies including American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, National Association of Teachers of Singing, Voice Trainers Association as well as conducting voice research since 1997 which has been funded by National Institues of Health; she developed Lessac Madsen Resonant Voice Therapy which honors esteemed voice trainers Arthur Lessac and Mark Madsen who conduct training seminars worldwide on this method of practice.
Resonant voice therapy is an evidence-based practice designed to treat muscle tension dysphonia and laryngeal nodules, encouraging forward focussed speaking with easy phonation and encouraging deeper breathing while minimising vocal fold use. Unfortunately there have been limited studies addressing its efficacy for specific populations.
Kathrine Verdonlini Abbott or Joseph Stemple offer courses and downloadable materials that will teach you resonant voice therapy techniques for use with patients.
This course begins with a fundamental knowledge of voice science and biomechanics of voice production, before progressing to step-by-step instructions for using Lessac Madsen Resonant Vocal Techniques with your clients – both adult and pediatric clients alike can benefit.
Start by teaching your patients to feel vibrations in the front of their face, such as their anterior alveolar ridge, nose and teeth. Teach voiced and voiceless sounds at word, phrase and sentence levels before emphasizing that resonant voices feel easy rather than tense or breathy.
