Training with Music: inmuRELAX and inmuDANCE Make Exercise Fun and Motivating

Overcoming Training Challenges

Training sessions with individuals who have brain injuries and epilepsy can be particularly challenging. This is something Julie Krohne Christiansen experiences daily in her role as a physiotherapist at a residential facility for 21 adults with epilepsy. To address these challenges, Julie has incorporated inmuRELAX and inmuDANCE sensory cushions into her work, and the difference has been remarkable.

Julie frequently faces the difficulty of managing varying arousal levels among the residents during group training sessions. Some residents are in high arousal and need to be calmed before they can focus on the exercises, while others are in too low arousal and need stimulation to become engaged. The inmu sensory cushions have proven to be the perfect solution. The musical and tactile stimulation from inmuRELAX helps to calm those in high arousal, allowing them to focus and maintain their concentration during exercises. Conversely, inmuDANCE helps to awaken and engage those in low arousal, ensuring they are attentive and ready to participate.

Transformative Results

Since introducing the inmu cushions, Julie has noticed significant improvements. Because the sensory cushion help regulate residents’ arousal levels, they can perform exercises together in an effective way. This not only makes the training sessions more enjoyable but also enhances the overall engagement and participation of all residents.

The familiarity and comfort the residents have developed with the inmu cushions during group training sessions have led many of them to acquire their own. They find that the cushions provide them with relaxation and aid in improving their sleep. For many residents, adapting to new things can be challenging, but seeing their fellow residents use the inmu cushions has encouraged them to try them as well. Julie highlights the importance of this shared experience:

“We have used both inmuRELAX and inmuDANCE during our training sessions. Residents have been able to see how they work on their fellow residents. We’ve guided them by saying things like, ‘Try placing it here,’ or ‘Try doing this.’ This hands-on approach has helped them understand the benefits. Gradually, we’ve introduced the cushions for individual use, and it’s made a big difference.”

Julie further explains:

“If we had just handed them the cushions and said, ‘Here, we found this for you. Just sit and listen to it,’ I don’t think we would have gotten the same response. The group setting and the ability to observe and learn from each other were crucial in gaining acceptance and enthusiasm for using the inmu cushions.”

Impact on daily life

Beyond training sessions, the inmu cushions have positively impacted other areas of the residents’ lives. Julie has observed that the cushions not only help with relaxation and sleep but also improve everyday actions such as eating. For residents with high arousal, the calming effect of the inmuRELAX cushion helps them to settle down and focus on their meals. For those with too low arousal, the stimulating effect of the inmuDANCE cushion helps to increase their attention, making mealtime more engaging and enjoyable.

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Can inmuRHYTHM steal attention from YouTube?

Ariana is autistic and loves watching YouTube videos of things that break. Next to soap bubbles, it’s her favourite occupation.  At Fensmarkskolen in Denmark, they want to find an alternative where Ariana can use her body and find peace. They have introduced her to inmuRHYTHM in the hope that it can bring her arousal down. They know that getting her to change her habits takes time and patience. It requires a daily systematic effort.

It’s important to meet a girl like Ariana at her arousal level. High energy, pulse and rhythmic music appeal to children like Ariana. A brain in high level of arousal can’t suddenly adjust to find calm.  

That’s where inmuRHYTHM works in a unique way. The music in inmuRHYTHM has high energy when the child is active with it. But inmuRHYTHM is intelligent. The energy level of the music is automatically lowered to slowly bring the child’s arousal level down. This allows the child’s brain to gradually calm down. The pulse and structure of the music also provides structure to the brain. In the rhythmic movement together with inmuRHYTHM, the child finds joy. And the vibrations of inmuRHYTHM can be felt in the hands, feet and body.

Watch the video with Ariana here

Do you recognise any of the situations from the video? We hope it has inspired you. Feel free to share your thoughts with us. 

You can contact us here if you interested to know more. Or you can contact your local inmu specalist here.

 See more about inmuRHYTHM

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New opportunities with the inmu vest

The inmu vest is not just for people with motor challenges. The vest opens up new possibilities for activities and therapeutic and educational applications. When wearing the vest, the vibrations from the inmu are clearly felt in the body. This provides a continuous stimulation that can energise, motivate and regulate arousal.

The video with Kasper shows an example of how the vest can be used. With inmuRHYTHM in the vest, Kasper receives stimulation that allows him to feel himself. Feeling the rhythm in his chest energises him and helps him focus on his tasks and activities. The rhythm and pulse maintain his movements and body awareness. He has more opportunities to try different things and to be in contexts that were previously difficult for him, e.g. at the chiropodist.

The inmu also is an effective tool for arousal regulation. When you feel the vibrations and hear the music, you are able to connect with your body. This can reduce arousal. With the inmu in the vest, it offers the possibility for being shielded and carry it with you on the playground, in the classroom, at work, on a trip or in the car.

With the vest, an inmu can be worn on the front of the chest or on the back. It provides freedom of movement to jump, dance, run, roll around on the floor… This allows for the inmu to be used in even more activities – including shared activities.

The vest allows more people with motor challenges to be able to use an inmu. Even very motorically challenged people in wheelchairs can sit with an inmu on their chest. This allows people with spastic paralysis, for example, to activate an inmu themselves and get hours of joy and activity – by touching, tapping, cuddling or experiencing how the music changes as they move their upper body.

The steady pulse you can feel and hear with an inmuRHYTHM on your chest can be a great help when training walking. For example, during motor training in a walking bar or with a walking frame, the vibrations and rhythm can support and motivate. In this way, it can provide a comfortable and motivating form of self-training for people with Parkinson’s and other brain injuries.

The vest can be used with both inmuRHYTHM, inmuDANCE and inmuRELAX.

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inmu under the feet

Have you ever felt the vibrations of an inmu with your feet? Your feet are just as sensitive as your hands. You may know from reflexology, for example, that foot stimulation affects the whole body. It stimulates muscles and connective tissue, blood circulation, nervous system, sensory system and more. You can also stimulate the bones with the vibrations.

Stimulating the feet with the inmu’s vibrations has a number of possibilities. For example:

Wheelchair users: Especially for wheelchair users who suffer from paralysis or nerve disorders, vibrations under the feet can provide stimulation to the muscles and connective tissue and to get the blood circulation going. Place the inmu between the foot and the footrest. If the user can move their feet or leg muscles, it can be helpful to hear how the music changes when you change the pressure on the inmu. This motivates continued movement.

Gentle massage: It can be really nice to put the inmu under your feet when you want to relax. Try placing the inmu against the end of the bed or against a sofa armrest, for example. You can also sit down and simply place the inmu on the floor. This provides a nice gentle massage and warmth for your feet. As you change your pressure on the inmu, you can hear the music change.

Motor training: Children love playing with an inmu on the floor. Try alternating between stepping on an inmuRHYTHM and the floor. You can vary by stepping from behind, in front or to the sides. When you can feel the vibrations and hear changes in the music, you are encouraged to continue. Feeling an inmu under your feet can also be used to prepare for walking training. The vibrations draw attention to where the foot is, making it easier to realise that you need to move your foot.

Help with dressing: When you have contact with your foot, it is easier to find your way into a trouser leg. If you’re confused, the vibrations and music will help you identify which leg to use. When helping someone get dressed, you can hold the inmu under their foot for a moment before helping them put on trousers, socks or shoes.

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Kasper is an active man who has autism and a rare muscle disease that causes him to tire quickly. He has no language and seeks many stimuli throughout the day. In just two months of wearing inmuRHYTHM on his body using our vest, he has found it easier to sit on the toilet until he’s finished, to be at the podiatrist and to be kept in activities that stimulate him in a good way. The staff are very optimistic and strives for Kasper to use inmuRHYTHM for dental and doctor visits, bus rides and other situations that can be difficult for Kasper.

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Linette, is a wheelchair user, has spasms and is very tense in her body. She has a tendency to be very distant and withdraw into herself. Linette lives at home for disabled where they are using inmu to awaken her senses. It usually takes more than 20 minutes to wake up Linette’s senses so she can be active. But with inmuRELAX it takes 2-5 minutes to make Linette awake and ready to play with her things. 

inmuRELAX has also improved her motor skills. She is now able to coordinate her hands to move her toy from one hand to the other. inmuRELAX has helped Linette with sensory and fine motor skills and has helped to improve her physical and cognitive abilities.

Lintte’s parents have also noticed as big change. It is a more active and happy Linette.

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Group of people with dementia is having joyful activities with inmuDANCE. The handy shape and interactive dance music makes it almost impossible not to smile and move.

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Table curling with the inmu’s can lead to many things: smiles and laughter, eye contact, jokes … and in addition e.g. tactile sensory stimulation, training of hands, arms and balance, attention and new skills.

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Knud suffers from Alzheimers. He is using inmuRELAX and inmuDANCE to maintain his motor skills.

Even though it is difficult to remember things, his body and hands are still able to learn new movements. And his body can remember them (called muscle memory). Also long time after.

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