What is IM?

The Interactive Metronome (IM) is a brain-based rehabilitation assessment and training program developed to directly improve the processing abilities that affect attention, motor planning, and sequencing.  This, in turn, strengthens motor skills, including mobility and gross motor function, and many fundamental cognitive capacities such as planning, organizing, and language.

How Does IM Work?

The IM program provides a structured, goal-oriented training process that challenges the patient to precisely match a computer generated beat.  Participants are instructed to synchronize various hand and foot exercises to a reference tone heard through headphones.  The patient attempts to match the rythmic beat with repetitive motor actions such as tapping his / her toes on a floor sensor mat or hand clapping while wearing an IM glove with palm trigger.  A patented audio or audio visual guidance system provides immediate feedback.  The difference between the patient's performance and the computer generated beat is measured in milliseconds.  The score provided indicates timing accuracy.

Clinical Results

Pediatric Cases

ADHD                           Amputee              

Autism                         CAPD & ADD

Cerebral Palsy             Dyslexia

Early Intervention

Non-Verbal Learning Disorder

Published Scientific Studies

Diamond, Susan J. (2003) Process speed and motor planning

Jacokes, Lee E. (2003) IM Performance Training

Benefits

Motor planning and sequencing problems have been linked to a variety of developmental, behavioral, and learning challenges.  More than a decade of clinical research on IM demonstrates gains in motor planning and sequencing lead to improvements in:

• Attention & Concentration
• Language Processing
• Behavior (Aggression and Impulsivity)
• Motor Control & Coordination
• Academic Performance

Who Can Benefit?

Individuals with motor planning and sequencing problems, speech and language delays, motor and sensory disorders, learning deficits, and various cognitive and physical difficulties may benefit from the IM program.  Pediatric patients who have benefited from IM include those with:

• Sensory Intergration Disorder
• Asperger Syndrome
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• ADHD / ADD
• Cerebral Palsy