The Effectiveness of Interactive Metronome® as a Tool to Improve Cognition and Motor Performance in Healthy Older Adults in Eastern North Carolina

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness of the Interactive Metronome (IM) in improving cognitive and motor performance in healthy older adults. As the aging adult population continues to rise, it is important to explore tools which can support this population to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible. Literature indicates there is a natural decline in cognition with aging, and that cognitive decline may be related to decline in functional performance. 13 healthy older adults completed 18 sessions of IM protocol and researchers gathered data from IM assessments, d2 Test of Attention, and Nine Hole Peg Test across four points of measure. Results indicated a significant increase in percentage of change from the baseline measure to the final point of measure on each of the four assessments. Researchers concluded the participants' improved scores on cognitive and fine motor measures may indicate IM could be beneficial in preventatively treating this population. Future research should explore if increased performance on assessment scores might contribute to increased functional performance.