Memorial Regional Hospital Rehabilitation Center

Interactive Metronome Therapy Program

The Interactive Metronome (IM) allows adult and pediatric patients who are experiencing difficulty in any of the following areas, the opportunity to improve through this computer-based program:

• Attention and concentration
• Motor planning and sequencing thoughts and actions
• Language processing
• The ability to perform complex problem-solving activities
• Social behavior (aggression and impulsivity)
• Balance and gait
• Academic activities
• Endurance
• Strength
• Motor skills
• Coordination

Interactive Metronome therapy trains the brain to plan, sequence and process information more effectively. It typically involves multiple sessions in which the computer produces a metronome beat heard through headphones. The system challenges participants to improve their accuracy as they actively try to match the auditory or visible beat from the computer program. During training, IM’s auditory guidance system progressively challenges patients to improve skills as they progress through a series of engaging, interactive exercises. The difference between the participant's response and the actual beat is measured in milliseconds and a score is provided.

The ultimate goal is to achieve a low score, which indicates improved performance. Research has clearly shown that the brain learns through repetition of precise activities. By keeping the beat, the brain is trained to plan, sequence and process information more effectively.