Interactive Metronome

This is a patented technology program which, through independent scientifically valid research studies, has shown to improve focus, attention, coordination, timing, language processing, control of aggression and impulsivity, academic performance in children and adults with a wide range of cognitive and physical challenges including dyspraxia, language delays, attention deficits, learning disabilities, sensory and motor challenges.

For more information see www.interactivemetronome.com

We have also heard of another use of a Metronome, this time for enhanced performance in sports. Although not advocated as a medical device, "The Wetronome® encourages "muscle memory" for performing your sport at a particular pace". If you would like more information, see www.wetronome.com

About Interactive Metronome

There are a growing number of therapists and educators in the U.S.A. and internationally successfully using the Interactive Metronome program. These include Occupational Therapists but I.M. is also used as a intervention tool by psychologists, speech and language pathologists, educators, physical educators and other professionals. Sensory Connections Occupational Therapy Services is the only I.M. provider in Western Australia and over the last three years has been providing Interactive Metronome (I.M.) training programs for children with a wide range of physical, sensory, and cognitive challenges.

Testimonials from Noted Professionals

"Attention, learning, and problem solving depend in part on the ability to plan and sequence actions and ideas. The Interactive Metronome ® helps individuals systematically exercise and often improve basic motor planning and sequencing capacities."

Stanley Greenspan, MD is Chairman of IM’s Scientific Advisory Board.

"As for the clinical usefulness of the IM, as my intuition originally suggested, I have found the IM to be an extremely helpful intervention for motor planning and sequencing problems. It is helpful in the motor and sequencing aspects of language as well as attention and motor coordination."

LorRainne Jones, MA, CCC-SLP, PhD, heads Kid Pro Therapy, a speech, occupational and physical therapy center in Tampa, FL.

"The Interactive Metronome ® is spectacularly helpful. It is one of the most promising developments with non-medication of ADHD that's come along in a long while... This is really solid, extremely helpful non-medication (intervention) not only for ADHD but for mental functioning in general."

Edward Hallowell, MD, author of Driven to Distraction, and leading clinician and speaker on ADHD.

Some of the feedback from children and families completing I.M. training with us

"He has just blossomed, improved abilities all around, particularly in his ability to organize himself and stay on task at home and at school, he has better endurance, we can now have a conversation with him in a crowded room of people ...he would just tune out beforehand… he has finally learn’t to ride his bike without training wheels."

Mother of a 6 year old boy with dyspraxia, CAPD, and ADHD.

"It has helped her self confidence… she does her homework without reminders straight away after coming home from school, she has starting reading everything she can get her hands on, and she passed the audition for dance for the first time."

Mother of an 11 year old girl with ADHD, CAPD, LD, anxiety disorder.

"He handles transitions more smoothly and is better at regulating himself. He generally stays calmer and more even. This is the case in school and in other situations. This past year he did his homework by himself, and did it much more quickly… he has become a lot more independent… sensitivity to noise dropped, motor skills improved all around… he is less anxious and more socially appropriate… it is wonderful to see as you could imagine."

Mother of a 10 year old boy with Aspergers Syndrome, dyspraxia.

"It’s hard to quantify the differences but he is different. Handwriting quicker, much happier, seems to be more energetic and laughing more, doing homework more quickly…. We’re really glad he did the program. You were really motivating for him, and I think that helped him a lot. You were also patient with hi eccentricities!!"

Parents of 11 year old boy with ADHD, CAPD.

"Dramatic changes were noted after just 3-4 sessions with his motor skills and coordination. Improved organisation skills were most notable, along with improvements in handwriting. He contributes more to dinner discussion, has better self esteem, not so shy, more confidence, able to control emotions and less teary outbursts."

Father of 10 year old boy with Dyspraxia, CAPD, LD.

"We are really happy with his program. The biggest changes we have noticed are - neater handwriting, quieter and less frustration with motor tasks, improved ball skills, and much improved physical endurance."

Speech Therapist and mother of 6 year old boy with Dyspraxia.

What is Interactive Metronome?

This is a patented technology program which through independent scientifically valid research studies has shown to improve focus, attention, co-ordination, timing, language processing, control of aggression and impulsivity, academic performance in children and adults with a wide range of cognitive and physical difficulties including dyspraxia, language delays, attention deficits, learning disabilities, sensory and motor challenges.

The I.M. equipment consists of a computerized metronome, headset, footpads, and hand buttons. Trainees are instructed to make smooth, controlled hand and foot motions in a continually repeating pattern, without stopping between beats. They must focus only on the metronome beat through headphones and not be interrupted by their own thoughts or things happening around them. Guide sounds heard through an auditory guidance system, like training wheels on a bicycle, assist in re-wiring the brain via progressively challenging trainees to improve motor planning, sequencing, and timing.

Attention, learning, and problem solving depend on the core capacity to plan and sequence actions and ideas. This capacity relates directly to a child’s ability to follow directions, read, write, do math, and most importantly think. We have not previously had the technology to enhance these capacities. The I.M. enhances a person’s ability to plan, sequence, and organize by integrating auditory processing, with timing and rhythm.

How does it work?

I.M. is a fun and challenging way for individuals from the age of 6 years and up, to "exercise the brain". The human brain’s efficiency and performance depends on the seamless transition of neuronal network signals from one area of the brain to another. Findings in a recent study by Neal Alpiner, MD "Functional MRI study of the effects of I.M. on auditory-motor processing networks", suggest that I.M. works by augmenting internal processing speed. Alpiner says "We are going back to the basic wiring of the brain and re-timing it".

The Program

A treatment session includes 4 to 8 of 13 treatment exercises, repeated according to an individualized regimen. Each trainee attends between 3-5 sessions each week over a 3 to 5 week period for a minimum of 15 sessions in total. For distant or rural families or with other circumstances we can adjust the frequency and duration.

For a standard I.M. program trainees practice the exercises at a preset tempo and the number of repetitions per exercise increases from 200 during the first session to a maximum of 2,000 during the ninth session.

By the end of 15 sessions of I.M. training, trainees have systematically exercises their ability to stay on task approximately 35,000 times enhancing core brain capacities.

What are the results of I.M. training?

The experience of staying on the beat has a very positive motivating effect. Controlled I.M. studies show that over the course of treatment, individuals 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. Please see “Summary of Interactive Metronome Research” paper for the research findings that back up the effectiveness of I.M. training on the website www.interactivemetronome.com

As experienced therapists we are able to modify standard I.M. programs to meet the child’s individual needs. We are also able to incorporate other innovative treatment tools such as therapeutic listening programs, brain gym, the Alert Program for self regulation, Balametrics exercises as well as more traditional occupational therapy treatment, to meet the individual needs of the child.