Overview - How
It Works - Case Studies - Research
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).
Published research
shows 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
- Bilateral
coordination
- Sensory
integration
- Motor
planning and sequencing
- Balance
According to an article
published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy entitled "Theoretical
and Clinical Perspectives on the Interactive Metronome
– A View from Clinical Occupational Therapy Practice," “Many
of the individuals [who] occupational therapists evaluate from a sensory
integrative frame of reference are ‘out of sync’ with the spatio-temporal
aspects of their environments. They often lack the internal sense of timing
that is necessary to regulate sleep as well as physical and social interactions
with the world. In addition, they often have difficulty with visuospatial
and constructional skills that are highly dependent on accurate perception
of temporal and spatial cues."
"Clinical experience suggests that if IM is used as a technique along
with sensory integration, there may be an improved ability to more fully
benefit from the sensory integration approach. If IM is done when no further
gains are seen with a sensory integrative approach, it is possible that
IM may be effective in creating further gains."
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 is a unique application
of technology that can improve those underlying capacities, which are
essential to patients’ development of speech-language and cognitive
skills. Through neuroplasticity, the cognitive-motor exercises that
make up IM tasks stimulate the brain to adapt or create new neural
pathways that compensate for injury or developmental delay, which results
in functional outcomes.
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.
The IM program involves repeated hand, toe, and heel exercises as well
as weight shifting, and bilateral lower extremity coordination. These
exercises are performed during therapy visits and are increasingly varied
and extended so that most patients are able to perform thousands of repetitions.
Since the treatment provides engaging feedback and requires a high level
of concentration, it provides the patient an opportunity to maintain
a level of endurance not typically reached other repetitive exercises.
Those with limb amputations and other balance-related diagnoses are
also helped by the repetition of IM exercises, which bring about progressive
improvements in their balance and gait. Functional motor control gains
are achieved within a short period of time.
IM neurological and motor rehabilitation helps improve patients’:
- Endurance and strength
- Gait Symmetry
- Coordination
- Motor skills
- Balance
Universities:
- Creighton University
Medical Center
- Medical College
of Georgia (MCG Health)
- Rusk Institute
(NYU)
- University of
North Carolina
- University of
Notre Dame
- Duke University
- Louisiana State
University
- University of
Kansas Medical Center
- University of
Rochester
- East Carolina
University
- Arizona State
University
- University of
Washington
- The University
of Utah
- College of Staten
Island
- Cerritos College
- Nova Southeastern
University
- Youngstown State
University
- Widener University
- Marquette University
- Boston University
- Grand Valley State
University
- University on
Nevada
- University of
Miami
- Johns Hopkins
University
- MCP - Hahnemann
University
- Texas Womens University
- California State
University
- Rider University
- Richard Stockdon
College
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