Interactive Metronome - What is it?
The Interactive Metronome (IM) is a new and fun way to improve a variety of brain and coordination conditions. It was developed in the USA and is now backed up by over ten years of research. Newland Chiropractic Clinic has one of the three currently in the UK. Our patients have benefited in numerous ways through Interactive Metronome Training.
WHAT DOES IT DO?
The IM plays a rhythmic beat, which you hear through the headphones. You try to clap or tap in time to the beat your hands, feet or a combination of both.
With each tap the IM will make a sound or display a colour to tell you if you were on time, early or late. These sounds or colours “tell” your brain if you are out of time so you can attempt to regain the rhythm. Through repetition of these exercises your brain learns to control your limbs more accurately.
It was soon discovered that patients training on the IM for movement and coordination difficulties also noticed improvements with their concentration and attention. We now know that the mental effort of getting your limbs in time to the beat and adapting when you get out of rhythm uses the nerves in many parts of your brain. Consequently, IM training enhances concentration, working memory, planning and organizing, language processing, reading fluency and control over impulsivity and behaviour.
With all these benefits we are using the Interactive Metronome to help:
Learning Disabilities in children
Several neurological conditions
Enhanced Sports Performance
Rehabilitation of injured limb, replaced joint or limb prosthesis