Interactive Metronome® for ADHD & Sensory Processing Disorder

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Retrain the Brain. Regulate the Body. Restore Focus.

Attention and sensory challenges can make everyday life harder—for kids and adults alike. Whether it’s difficulty focusing, frequent meltdowns, or feeling overwhelmed by lights, noise, or movement, the root issue often lies in the brain’s timing and regulation systems.

Interactive Metronome® (IM) is a science-backed therapy that helps the brain rewire its ability to focus, stay calm, and respond appropriately to the world around it. It’s especially effective for those with ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)—supporting improved attention, coordination, and emotional control through rhythm-based training.

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 What’s Really Going On?

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In individuals with ADHD and SPD, there’s often a disruption in the brain’s internal timing system—the rhythm that allows parts of the brain to work together. This affects:

• Focus and sustained attention

• Body awareness and coordination

• Emotional regulation

• Auditory and visual processing

• Impulse control and task switching

• Sensory filtering and integration

When the brain’s internal “metronome” is out of sync, everything else struggles to stay in balance.

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 How Interactive Metronome® Works

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IM is a computer-based neuro-motor therapy that uses headphones, hand/foot sensors, and real-time feedback to train the brain’s timing network. The client performs specific movements in rhythm with a beat while receiving millisecond-level auditory and visual feedback.

Over time, this helps improve:

• Cognitive timing

• Sensorimotor coordination

• Self-regulation

• Executive functioning

• Multisensory integration

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 The Science Behind IM for ADHD & SPD

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IM targets the prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and sensorimotor pathways—areas responsible for attention, movement, and regulation. Research shows that improving millisecond timing leads to gains in:

• Attention span and sustained focus

• Inhibitory control (reducing impulsivity)

• Processing speed and working memory

• Auditory and language processing

• Fine and gross motor coordination

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 Clinical Research Highlights:

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• McGrew & Evans (2004): Demonstrated that IM improves attention, processing speed, and executive functioning in children with ADHD.

• Shaffer et al. (2001): Found IM improved speech, coordination, and cognitive performance in children with developmental delays.

• Stanford University studies show timing deficits are consistently linked to ADHD and that rhythm-based interventions can significantly improve executive functioning.

 

What Does This Mean for Real Life?

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Interactive Metronome may help individuals with ADHD/SPD:

• Sit through class or work tasks more easily

• Listen and follow multi-step instructions

• Filter out distracting sounds or sights

• Tolerate textures, tags, or unexpected touch

• Feel more in control of their emotions and impulses

• Sleep more restfully and regulate transitions better

• Tie shoes, ride bikes, or write more clearly

• Reduce frustration, tantrums, or shutdowns

 

 Who Can Benefit from IM?

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• Children with diagnosed ADHD (inattentive, hyperactive, or combined)

• Children or adults with Sensory Processing Disorder (sensory-seeking or avoiding)

• Teens with executive dysfunction

• Adults who struggle with focus, anxiety, or body awareness

• Individuals with dyspraxia, autism spectrum traits, or auditory processing difficulties

 

 Timing and Regulation = Everything

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Timing is the backbone of every skill—from reading, writing, and listening, to riding a bike or calming down. When the brain’s timing improves, focus, behavior, and coordination follow.

 

 What IM Sessions Look Like

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Sessions include:

• Movement-based exercises using timing tones and body sensors

• Immediate visual and auditory feedback (e.g., too fast, too slow)

• Age-appropriate challenges that combine attention + movement

• Measurable progress you can see in each session

Customized programs can include seated or standing tasks, whole-body movement, and fun, gamified challenges.

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 Outcomes You May See:

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• Increased classroom/workplace performance

• Decreased tantrums, fidgeting, or sensory overload

• Improved handwriting and fine motor skills

• Better attention to detail and listening

• Calmer transitions between tasks or settings

• More joy and confidence in daily life

 

 Take the First Step

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At Precision Brain Training™, we specialize in brain-based rhythm therapy that’s personalized for each client. Whether your child is bouncing off the walls or struggling to get through a day without tears, we’re here to help you discover what’s possible—one beat at a time.