A Review and Meta-Analysis of Interactive Metronome Training: Positive Effects for Motor Functioning

Abstract

Interactive metronome training may be effective for improving motor performances through timing. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, 18 prospective studies met our eligibility criteria, and we summarized the effects of interactive metronome training protocols on motor functioning. We estimated effect sizes by quantifying differences in altered motor functions between participants in interactive metronome training and control groups. Two additional subgroup analyses determined whether the positive effects on motor function improvements were different among (a) three types of participants (i.e., athletes, healthy individuals, and patients with neurological disorders) and (b) two different training protocols (i.e., interactive metronome training only and interactive metronome training combined with an additional motor program). Random-effects model meta-analysis revealed moderate positive effects of interactive metronome training on motor function, with interactive metronome treatment effects significant across athletes, healthy individuals, and patients with neurological disorders. Interactive metronome training combined with additional motor programs showed comparable effects to those obtained after interactive metronome training alone. These findings suggest motor improvement benefits to strengthening or capitalizing on an individual’s motor timing.

Pilot study of a high-intensity interval training program in older adults: Safety, feasibility, functional fitness and cognitive effects

“…Firstly, training participants in proper movement and muscle engagement could enhance functional fitness and ensure more consistent attainment of target heart rates. Additionally, providing visual or auditory cues, either through metronome timing, guiding proper form and repetition targets, or continuous real-time monitoring of HRs, may better motivate participants to exert appropriate effort and perform exercises correctly, thus helping them reach HR intensity thresholds (Lee et al, 2022; Schaefer, 2014). Furthermore, training participants to accurately report their Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), a validated self-reported measure of exercise intensity based on the participant’s perception of physical exertion, could serve as an additional tool to monitor exercise intensity (Morishita et al, 2018).…”

Clinic and Home-Based Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction Resolves Thigh Muscle Atrophy after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with the Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Autograft: A Case Report

“…The sweep test and authors’ version of a modified pain-monitoring scale were used throughout rehabilitation to guide the advancement of all exercise prescriptions ( Figure 1 ) [ 55 , 68 , 72 ]. Additional quadriceps activation exercises were completed 2×/day with a metronome and home electrostimulation garment (Neurotech ® , Kneehab XP™) ( Table 1 ) [ 73 , 74 ].…”

Concussion disrupts brain synchrony: Evidence from interactive metronome on young children with persisting symptoms and prolonged recovery post-concussion

“…Each of these tasks require the person to accurately perceive and understand auditory information (a steady metronome beat), select goal-directed behavior in a time-dependent manner (clapping hands in time with the beat), and in the case of the feedback condition, update their rhythmic pattern with provided information on their accuracy (adjusting the clapping based on the online visual feedback). 7…”

“…Each of these tasks require the person to accurately perceive and understand auditory information (a steady metronome beat), select goal-directed behavior in a time-dependent manner (clapping hands in time with the beat), and in case of the feedback condition, update their rhythmic pattern with provided information on their accuracy (adjusting the clapping based on the online visual feedback). 7 IM offers a window into not just behavioral synchrony, but also neural synchrony. Indeed, the ability to move along to a beat, a core component of IM, is linked to neural synchrony, with poorer performance on the IM task linked to poorer neural synchrony.…”