Interactive Metronome Therapy

Interactive Metronome™ (IM) a drug-free brain training technology which is effective at turning on the parts of the brain used in timing, planning, sequencing, focusing and attending. IM is used as a motor assessment and treatment tool by over 15,000 therapists (OT, PT, SLP's), athletic trainers, educators, kinesiologists, licensed rehabilitation and mental health professionals, psychiatrists, neurologists and psychologists in over 5000 clinics globally.

Hand and foot triggers are worn or stepped upon precisely measuring timing accuracy. Personal timing is improved by using real time, millisecond accurate feedback via the patented guide-sound and visual tracking technologies. A patented software algorithm continually re-defines the just-right challenge for each exercise, thus ensuring peak performance.

Thirteen specific motor-exercises retrain the brain by creating new and strengthening existing neuro-pathways. The process is based on the principle of neuro-plasticity which states, "What Fires Together Wires Together". By creating personalized movement patterns to attain specific functional goals IM ensures durability of training results.

Interactive Metronome has been shown to improve behavioral, cognitive, communicative and movement challenges to address multiple learning deficits and motor disregulations. Neuroscience research has revealed areas of our brain which control rhythm and timing are central to all human performance. The efficiency of our prefrontal cortex impacts our Executive Function - or the ability to Plan, Process and Execute actions. The cerebellum, amygdala and other vital brain centers regulate our ability to efficiently process auditory, proprioceptive, vestibular and visuals inputs.

Effective Results

Clinically, Interactive Metronome is effective for the treatment of ASD, Asperger’s, ADD/ADHD, Depression, Parkinsons, Post-Stroke, PTSD, TBI and for early through mid-onset Parkinson’s Disease. Clinical research studies have revealed golf shot accuracy can increase by 20-28%.

As an academic tool IM can typically increase math fluency by 1½ grade levels and reading fluency/comprehension by more than 2 grade levels. Mental processing speeds gain improvements by up to 3 grade levels.

Interactive Metronome is used widely by PGA, NFL, NBA, NCAA and US Hockey strength and conditioning professionals.

Initial Assessment and Intake Consultation

Upon reviewing the trainees timed initial assessment results, we will discuss the desired functional outcome goals. The total number of sessions will be discussed to determine an individual's Interactive Metronome training protocol. Factors determining the total number of training sessions include:

  • Base-line timing abilities and functioning as determined during the initial assessment

  • Desired functional goals/outcomes

  • Ability to continue making progress towards each of six Interactive Metronome program iterative milestones

Interactive Metronome Training Sessions

Every Interactive Metronome program will progress at a pace unique to each person. Factors determining the attainment of personally developed and self-stated functional goals include:

  • Intrinsic Motivation

  • Coachability, here defined as one's ability to understand and follow instructions and mirror modeled movements patterns

  • Ability to continually progress towards each of six program milestones
:
    1. Learn proper upper body movement and coordinate to IM reference tone
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    2. Improve generalized timing of upper body movements by using IM guide sounds
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    3. Use strategies to overcome self-limiting tendencies and reinforce positive behavior (e.g., using fluid movements, wait for cue then respond appropriately, etc...)
    4. Incorporate new learning to lower body, bilateral and balance exercises
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    5. Continue to task working memory while extending short term focus and longer term concentration
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    6. Ability to overcome distractions and achieve new personal best scores on customized functional goal or sport specific movement patterns.

Typical functioning adults, older kids ( 4th - 6th graders) and MS/HS Teenager's may achieve significant outcomes after 10-15 sessions. As a motor learning program we encourage families to schedule appointments with a minimum commitment of 2x sessions per week. Improved outcomes may be achieved by increasing appointments to 3x per week.

In cases where the individual has severe sensory/motor dis-regulation treatment duration may exceed 20 sessions.

Edward Jonathans, IMC

Edward

Edward Jonathans, BSc - IMC, holds a BSc in Kine­sio­logy from San Jose State Uni­ver­sity and attended the UC Santa Cruz Educational Therapy - Masters certificate program.

Ed was certified in 2003 by Dr. Rick Margo, the former director of clinical research at Interactive Metronome as an IM therapist. Edward then led a movement disorder study investigating Interactive Metronome's efficacy as an treatment for early to mid-onset Parkinson's Disease.

A member of the Association of Pediatric Therapists - Bay Area Chapter and Parents Helping Parents, Jonathans has lectured on and been interviewed as an authority on the use of Interactive Metronome.

Edward Jonathans is strong believer in non-pharmaceutical approaches to health and socio-emotional issues because of his own experience, strength and hope. Silicon Valley's hyper-competitive, interrupt driven technology rich culture may often fragment our attention and potentially ourselves.

Interactive Metronome training provides every person an opportunity to witness how they learn. While this learning is specific to motor movement and personal timing, it uniquely reveals how we also learn new cognitive skills and emotional responses. The added benefit of re-learning how to maintain focus, remain balanced and avoiding distractions is that you'll realize the value of slowing down and efficiently executing previously difficult tasks.

In addition to his Interactive Metronome training, Jonathans has served as a trainer and consultant to the Stanford University based Positive Coaching Alliance. PCA uses youth sports as a social platform to teach personal ethics and organizational leadership. Jonathans shares many PCA sports psychology and mental visualization techniques to facilitate each clients progress towards self-stated functional goals.