Steps for TIMP
This week in symposium, we went into further detail regarding sensorimotor techniques. We did demonstrations of the NMT technique TIMP, where we paired up in groups to choose a specific movement exercise to target and demonstrated how we would incorporate music to encourage the target movement with clients. For example, my group chose to focus on an older adult group and targeting dynamic weight shifting, having the clients reach across their midline. Clients will reach up to the diagonal on one side and swing their arms to reach up and over to the other side. Considering most older adult groups are typically seated, this movement can exercise their upper bodies while sitting down.
The first step is to have the clients do the movement without music and the music therapist takes note of their natural tempo (speed of the movement). Using a metronome or keyboard with various styles of beat, the second step includes choosing a style to fit the song and setting the tempo to match the group’s natural tempo. Once that begins playing along with the clients executing the movement, the music therapist can implement the third step, playing the song. Due to the dynamic weight shifting movement being a larger motion, requiring more time to reach up on each side, recommended instruments to play the song on are Autoharp or piano. These instruments provide a longer range for the music therapist to strum or roll the chord with the beat in which the movement occurs. The work in this movement is in the reaching up motion, so the strum or rolled chords should occur in a low to high range to encourage the upward movement further. Clients can hold onto scarves as well, providing sensory stimulation to motivate the movement more.
In conclusion, TIMP requires much planning on the music therapist’s end, but can be quite effective when executed properly. The music therapist must be completely aware of the clients and focused on their motion and tempo, while simultaneously playing a song, with a particular accompaniment pattern to encourage the target movement. This also requires that the music be high quality, considering the music therapist cannot be focused on what or how they are playing, but rather on the client and matching them. In a one-on-one session or a smaller group, this technique commonly uses instruments as targets for the clients to hit, providing auditory feedback when executing the movements. For the purpose of our demonstration this week, we chose to use scarves instead of instruments, but both are effective. Although the planning and execution of TIMP is detailed, it is well worth it to see clients engaged in the various movements because of the exciting musical experience involved.
