For Patients and Visitors

Interactive Metronome® Assessment & Training Services

As part of Occupational Therapy services, Children’s Hospital offers Interactive Metronome® (IM) assessment and training services. IM’s computer-powered technology can help children and adults with a wide range of needs including cognitive and physical difficulties in the areas of:

  • Attention, focus and organization
  • Motor control, coordination and timing
  • Language processing; reading and math fluency
  • Ability to regulate aggression/impulsivity

IM services can benefit those who face attention disorders, coordination deficits and learning disabilities. In addition, these services are also used to enhance academic achievement and improve rhythm, agility, timing and coordination for athletes and musicians. (Note: A child must be functioning developmentally in range of 6 years of age or older to benefit from IM services.)

Services

At Children’s Hospital, IM assessment and training is conducted by a pediatric occupational therapist who has special certification in this technology. An initial appointment involving an Occupational Therapy evaluation can help determine overall treatment recommendations and if an individual may benefit from an IM training program. In some cases a child may need pre-sessions in order to benefit from IM training as he or she may need to develop coordination skills in order to coordinate a motor output from a sound input.

IM Training

Using headphones and hand and foot sensors, IM training combines the principles of the traditional music metronome with the power of a computer that precisely measures performance. A program typically involves 12 to 15 one-hour sessions conducted over a three to five-week period.

During training, IM’s auditory guidance system progressively challenges participants to improve skills as they progress through a series of engaging, interactive exercises. Participants perform 13 different hand and foot exercises to a rhythmic beat for a high number of repetitions while auditory guidetones provide immediate feedback on the accuracy of each movement. Research has shown the brain learns through repetition of precise activities and by keeping the beat, the brain is trained to plan, sequence and process more effectively. After training is completed, a follow-up evaluation can help identify areas of improvement in behavioral and functional skills.

Referral Information

A physician’s referral for Occupational Therapy evaluation and treatment is required for IM assessment/training. Families are required to obtain health insurance referral and pre-authorization information prior to the initial Occupational Therapy evaluation appointment. Depending on the participant’s needs, IM training may be part of a comprehensive Occupational Therapy program and health insurance may be accessed. For others, IM training will be the only service rendered and payment is requested for the entire amount (for a program of 12-15 training sessions) at the first training session appointment.

Service Locations

IM Services are offered at Children’s Hospital’s three Therapy Centers. For information or to make a referral, contact the Patient Service Representative at these locations:

Fredericksburg:
Lee’s Hill Medical Center
10530 Spotsylvania Avenue, Suite 102
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
540/891-4485 (phone) 540/891-4486 (fax)

South:
2925 Polo Parkway
Midlothian, VA 23113
804/323-9060 (phone) 804/323-7576 (fax)

West:
The Forum, 10124-K W. Broad Street
Glen Allen, VA 23060
804/273-6656 (phone) 804/273-6612 (fax)

The information on this site is provided for informational and educational purposes only; it does not contain specific medical advice. If you have specific health questions or problems, consult a health care professional for personal medical advice.