Effects of the Interactive Metronome® on older adults : does use improve cognitive and motor abilities?

Abstract

The purpose of this pre-test, post-test, quasi-experimental study was to examine the relationship between the Interactive Metronome[registered] (IM) protocol and cognitive plasticity, cognitive retention, and motor skills of older adults in southeastern North Carolina. The IM protocol was carried out in various settings with an occupational therapist and/or graduate occupational therapy students present for motivation and guidance. All participants underwent pre- and post-test assessments in order to track cognitive and motor function as they moved through the protocol. Cognitive assessments included the Woodcock-Johnson III (WJ III) and the d2 Test of Attention (d2). Motor assessments included the Four Step Square Test (FSST) and the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT). The participants' scoring and progress within the IM program was also tracked and examined for trends and indicators. This pre-test, post-test, quasi-experimental design was used to compare the differences between the assessment scores before and after intervention with the IM protocol. In all, a relationship was delineated between positive percentage of change on IM performance and positive percentage of change on the cognitive and motor assessments.