from: Press Release March 13, 2025
MURRAY, Ky. – Murray State University’s Center for Communication Disorders (CDI) department received the Parkinson’s Voice Project grant, which is designed to help individuals with Parkinson’s and other related neurological disorders.

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disease that affects a substantial number of individuals annually.

Dr. Nikki Gaylord, associate professor in the center for communication disorders, said individuals with Parkinson’s often experience changes in their voice, speech and swallowing.

“Changes in voice include decreased loudness and an inability to project their voice. Changes in swallowing include having difficulty consuming foods and liquids safely,” Gaylord said. “Changes in speech include reduced intelligibility of speech and an increased rate of speech. Individuals with Parkinson’s disease frequently experience frustration with their communication deficits, which then impacts their participation in social and daily life activities.”

The SPEAK OUT! therapy program addresses speech and swallowing challenges by targeting the muscles associated with swallowing.

This grant allows speech-language pathology students to receive SPEAK OUT! training for free.

Students who participate in the training will receive 10 hours of continuing education about Parkinson’s disease, the population affected and the neurology behind SPEAK OUT!

According to the program’s website, patients are empowered to speak with “intent.” Megan Smetana, instructor in the center for communication disorders, said when speaking in one’s natural environment, most people typically don’t pay attention to their speech.

“By asking the participants to ‘speak with intent,’ we are encouraging them to be more conscious of their speech. We remind them to speak to the person at the back of the room — without yelling,” Smetana said. “We also use the verbal cue, ‘speak like you are a CEO.’ People with Parkinson’s or related disorders are typically unaware of their low volume and lack of articulatory accuracy. The reminder to speak with intent helps them increase their volume and over-exaggerate their speech.”

Both Gaylord and Smetana are trained and certified providers for the SPEAK OUT! training program.

“This allows us to supervise students who complete the training as they provide therapy services to individuals and to the weekly group,” Gaylord said.

All speech-language pathology students in the graduate cohort at CDI will receive training during their first year of graduate school. Undergraduate students in CDI are allowed to sign up and observe the weekly SPEAK OUT! groups.

Currently, the department has three to four individual clients and 10-15 group participants each week.

Community members who are interested in participating in SPEAK OUT! (individually or as part of the group) are encouraged to reach out to Dr. Nikki Gaylord at jgaylord1@murraystate.edu or Megan Smetana at msmetana@murraystate.edu.

Dr. Gaylord indicated to the West Kentucky Journal that the grant has been provided by the Parkinson's Voice Project, website https://parkinsonvoiceproject.org/  They will receive training for all of their graduate students and 2 faculty members. The students and faculty receive the SPEAK OUT! training which is valued at approximately $475 per person. They report having 28 students in their graduate program and with the 2 SLP faculty trainings, the value is approximately $14,000. 

From the website of the project:
Parkinson Voice Project is a 501C3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people with Parkinson’s and related neurological disorders REGAIN and RETAIN their speech and swallowing. We treat patients online and in-person through our Texas clinic. We also train speech-language pathologists and graduate students worldwide in our highly effective SPEAK OUT! Therapy Program.  Since 2008, Parkinson Voice Project has offered all of its speech therapy programs at no cost to people with Parkinson’s and their families. 

About Murray State University: Since 1922, Murray State University has provided a collaborative, opportunity-rich living and learning community that fosters personal growth and professional success through a high-quality college experience. Students receive support from inspiring faculty and staff and will join a distinctive campus community — the Racer Family. With more than 10,000 students, Murray State prepares the next generation of leaders to join more than 80,000 successful alumni who make a difference in their community, across the country and around the world. We are Racers. The University’s main campus is located in Murray, Kentucky, and includes five regional campuses in Ft. Campbell, Henderson, Hopkinsville, Madisonville and Paducah.

To learn more about Murray State University, please visit murraystate.edu.