What is it and how does it work?

IM neurological and motor rehabilitation is advanced brain based therapy designed to promote and enhance brain performance and recovery. This is accomplished by using innovative neurosensory and neuromotor exercises developed to improve the brain's inherent ability to repair or remodel itself through a process called neuroplacity. The IM program provides a structured, goal-oriented process that challenges the patient to synchronize a range of hand and foot exercises to a precise computer-generated reference tone heard through headphones. The patient attempts to match the rhythmic beat with repetitive motor actions. A patented audio or audio and visual guidance system provides immediate feedback measured in milliseconds, and a score is provided. Over the course of the treatment, patients learn to: focus and attend for longer periods of time, increase physical endurance and stamina, filter out internal and external distractions, improve ability to monitor mental and physical actions as they are occurring, and progressively improve performance.

Who uses it?

Because IM works on the core brain functions of motor planning and sequencing, it is being used successfully by occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech therapists.

Occupational Therapy

For many years, occupational therapists have observed the significant role that motor planning and sequencing play in helping patients become more functionally independent in the activities of daily living (ADLs).

Ongoing studies show that improving rhythmicity and timing through Interactive Metronome (IM) may also result in significant improvements in the development of cognitive and physical skills that are important for performance in many areas including:

• Motor function
• Balance
• Bilateral coordination
• Sensory integration
• Motor planning and sequencing

Speech Therapy

Practitioners in the field of speech-language pathology recognize the role of motor planning and sequencing in the acquisition of speech, language, communication skills, and cognition. IM can result in or contribute to improvements in:

• Language processing
• Social communication
• Planning and sequencing
• Attention and concentration
• Control of impulsivity and aggression

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists use Interactive Metronome to assess and improve patients' motor planning and sequencing. This interactive process enhances the patient's mobility and gross motor function, which helps him/her become more functionally independent.

IM neurological and motor rehabilitation helps improve patients':

• Endurance and strength
• Gait Symmetry
• Coordination
• Motor skills
• Balance

Who can benefit from it?

IM treatment has been used to help children diagnosed with:

• Sensory Integration Disorder
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Cerebral Palsy
• Non-verbal Learning Disorder
• ADD/ADHD

Many children diagnosed with pediatric and developmental disorders may show:

• Language deficits (poor listening comprehension, poor verbal expression, poor reading comprehension)
• Poor organizational skills
• Poor memory
• Poor fine and gross motor skills
• Poor balance

Pediatric therapists and education specialists understand the correlation between the neurological functions of motor planning and sequencing and the critical aspects of human development, such as basic thinking, organizing, academic achievement, and coordination. When a child demonstrates a deficit in motor planning and sequencing, it is typically accompanied by problems in learning, coordination, or behavioral control. Prior to the development of Interactive Metronome, Inc. (IM) pediatric therapists were able to identify patients with these difficulties, but there was no system for measurable assessment and improvement. Today we know how to measure a child's motor planning and sequencing abilities, and we can show measurable improvement in a short period of time.

IM has undergone scientific trials and has been shown to improve:

• Attention and Concentration
• Motor Control and Coordination
• Cognitive Processing
• Reading and Math Fluency
• Control of Aggression/Impulsivity

*Adapted from www.interactivemetronome.com

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