Parkinson’s Disease

Nearly 1 million Americans have Parkinson’s disease, according to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation and 219,000 Australians according to Fight Parkinson’s organisation.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects many aspects of living. Patients frequently have deteriorated swallow and cough functions as well as softer and sometimes slurred speech. These symptoms worsen as the condition progresses over time. Although Parkinson’s disease cannot be cured, medications and therapeutic measures may significantly improve your symptoms. One opportunity is to improve swallow, cough, and speech functions with EMST training. Simple and easy muscle strength training with the EMST150 can provide Parkinson’s patients an opportunity to slow the progression of these symptoms and enhance their present and future quality of life

The EMST150 has been proven effective in improving swallowing and cough functions of Parkinson’s patients, as well as reducing choking and aspiration risks

The EMST150 is the most clinically validated expiratory muscle trainer and has been proven effective in improving swallowing and cough functions of Parkinson’s patients, reducing choking and aspiration risks. Additionally, EMST training has been shown to strengthen weakened respiratory capabilities providing Parkinson’s patients with the potential of regaining similar lung strength to Non-Parkinson’s seniors. After EMST training, clinical studies indicate that Parkinson’s patients could improve their ability to swallow and cough. Additionally, patients who had experienced voice impairment improved their intonation, cadence, and pitch voice strength, improving their ability to communicate with others, contributing to an improved quality of life.

EMST Evidence-Based Areas of Effectiveness for Parkinson’s Patients: Improved Cough, Swallow, Speech Breathing, Lowered Aspiration Risk, Increased Maximum Expiratory Pressure and Sound Pressure Level

Clinical Validation of the EMST150 in Assisting Parkinson’s Patients

• The Impact of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training on Speech Breathing in Individuals With Parkinson’s Disease: A Preliminary Study
• Impact of expiratory muscle strength training on voluntary cough and swallow function in Parkinson’s disease
• Impact of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST) on Phonatory Performance in Parkinson’s Patients
• Aspiration and swallowing in Parkinson’s disease and rehabilitation with EMST: a randomized trial 
• Expiratory Muscle Strength Training for Therapy in Pharyngeal Dysphagia in Parkinson’s Disease
• Speech and Swallow in Parkinson’s: Prehab and EMST
• Respiratory muscle strength training: treatment and response duration in a patient with early idiopathic Parkinson’s disease
• Tutorial on maximum inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures in individuals with idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD) and the preliminary results of an expiratory muscle strength training program.

• Voice Alterations, Dysarthria, and Respiratory Derangements in Patients With Parkinson’s Disease