WHO CAN USE IT?

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

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."

*Information on this page was obtained from the official Interactive Metronome site.
  For more information, click on the link provided or call Helping Hands Therapy.