Computerized Diagnostic (Checking the Rest)
- Interactive Metronome
- VisaGraph
- PBSI
- Dynamic Posturography
- Optokinetic Evaluations
- Oxygen Saturation Analysis
- Interactive Metronome (IM) provides us with a “long form” and “short form” assessment to measure motor-cognitive responses.
IM is a cutting-edge neurological assessment and treatment tool. It is an audiology-based program for motor timing and sequencing that uses a motor function combined with rhythmicity and timing. It assesses and quantifies a patient’s implusive or delayed motor response to an auditory and/or visual cue. IM has therapeutic applications for a wide variety of learning and developmental disorders in children and adults. Patients that have attention problems typically fall into a category of brain symptoms related to their ability to sequence and bind information. IM helps to train motor sequencing by increasing the ability of the motor system to sequence.
IM is essentially a program that uses visual and auditory cues, as well as biofeedback, to synchronize the brain and motor function.
Visagraph is one of the most technologically advanced devices available for reading evaluations. Visagraph has patented infrared goggles that detect and record the movements of both eyes as a patient reads. This allows us to see if the individual is skipping words, skipping lines, having to read words multiple times, or has asynchronous eye movements. It also allows us to assess reading comprehension.
This software is VITAL to an accurate diagnosis with learning disorders.
PBSI or Phyiological Blind Spot Imagaing is a tool used mainly by functional neurologists. The technique was developed by Frederick R. Carrick, DC, DACNB, Ph.D to evaluate the integrity of a relay center of the brain called the thalamus.
Every person has a blind spot in his or her vision. This is a result of the optic nerve inserting into the retina. The brain must “fill in” this missing information, so that we do not see blind spots in our normal vision. This means that the size of your blind spot is in direct correlation with your brain’s function or health. Each patient has their blind spot mapped and measured before care and at their reassessments to make sure that we are appropriately increasing brain health and integrity.
Dynamic Posturography is a way to assess and document balance. Research has demonstrated that a change in balance is one of the first indicators of declining brain health. Some references have stated that posturography can identify a possible degenerative condition up to 15 years before it occurs.
Did you know that falls are the #2 cause of accidental death in all age groups? Falling is just one consequence of having poor balance. Balance is one of the primary functions required for life. Many studies have also shown a correlation between balance and intelligence. The part of the brain that controls balance is the cerebellum. This part of the brain also controls spine integrity, eye movements, blood pressure, heart contraction, and emotions. Proper balance is vital to life.
This piece of equipment is on the cutting-edge in brain assessment. It is so sensitive that it can detect the whole-body perturbation caused by your heart beating.
We perform a free balance screening on all of our patients.
This technology uses infrared cameras to project your eyes onto a computer or television. It is similar to our Visagraph equipment, only this instrument allows us to visually and digitally evaluate eye movement parameters and reactions to light.
Your eyes have been called “the window to brain function” because they are so sensitive to changes in brain integrity. Eye movements integrate in the same areas of your brain as your balance centers (as previously stated), your spinal control centers, the vital function centers, also the part of your brain that controls motor movement, emotion and coordination.
We already mentioned the importance of oxygen, but we need a way to measure changes in oxygenation. In our clinic, we have a portable device – similar to one used in a hospital- that attaches to your finger and reads the amount of oxygen in your blood. This is important because any type of neuro-rehab will be fruitless without an adequate supply of oxygen, or fuel, for growth.