Multisensory stimulation

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Stimulation of our senses is essential for our wellbeing

Our senses are essential for us; to feel alive, when meeting with others and to show and receive deep emotions.

But our senses need to be stimulated. Stimulating one sense awakens more senses. For example, when you listen to music you want to move. Your brain helps you: if you are missing one sense your brain will compensate and make your other senses more active. For example, blind people often have particularly sensitive hearing.

Actually our body is being stimulated via the senses all the time; often you just have to trigger a single ‘spot’, for example, a stroke on the hand or the smell of a flower, and you will open up for new experiences.

The brain – and the nervous system

Being stimulated through the senses has a powerful influence on the brain and the nervous system.

The brain, as the ‘head office’, benefits from experiences of change. For example when you caress the hand the brain experiences this as a new ‘connection’, but if you continue to caress the hand in the exact same way (which is not possible – there will always be small changes), the brain will get ‘lazy’. On the other hand, the nervous system will benefit from the continued caressing of the hand and will send calming messages to the brain. So through the senses you can choose to stimulate in many ways.

Music has an especially eminent effect on our brain. The small changes in the inmu music universe make our brain curious and can stimulate it to develop new connections – and it keeps us interested.

The most important sense is the sense of touch 

This is why we put a lot of effort into creating the tactile elements of the inmu. The tactile elements and the vibrations from the inmu stimulate your hands and body – and the pocket of the inmuRELAX gives you a feeling of safety when you put your hand in it.

Over- and understimulation

The fact that our body is constantly being stimulated through the senses makes it very important for us to be aware of how and through which ‘channels’ or senses we are receiving sensory stimulation. Not only colours, sounds, and smells etc. have an influence on us, but also the room itself, architecture, furniture, lighting etc., as well as other people in the room.

For people with an illness, especially a brain disorder, it is important to consider their current mood and state of mind.
Did you know that wandering and agitated behaviour is often caused by patients being either understimulated or overstimulated?

High and low arousal

The inmu offers you the possibility of regulating the stimulation of the senses as well as the arousal level.
For example when you touch the inmuRELAX softly, it will play soft and quiet music. If you swing it, you will hear a sounding and fascinating ‘stardust’ sound. If you make quick movements you will bring more musical elements in from the ‘orchestra’.

As music changes our mood the relaxing music coming from the inmuRELAX will make you calm down and feel comfortable. The ‘dancing’ music from inmuDANCE will make you move; you have to smile, perhaps you’re even inspired to sing a song…

Makes you fall asleep

If you lie down while listening to the inmuRELAX, your chances of having a good and relaxing night’s sleep are great… And the music will stop automatically when you fall asleep and no longer move the inmu.

Being in control

With the inmu even weak and confused people can control how much stimulation they want. If they feel uncomfortable because of the music, the vibrations, or the fabric they can just put the inmu aside and the music will stop automatically.

Cognitive challenges

Cognitive challenges are often associated with great sensory impressions. Too many impressions in one go can be difficult to handle. This is particularly the case in situations where you don’t feel comfortable, such as in care situations. The inmu can help both the care receiver and the care giver by being a safe companion, something to distract you from the feeling of pain, for example, as well as stimulating the senses that are needed in the situation.

The ability to sense yourself can be a challenge; especially if you have an illness. Through the inmu music universe, the tactile elements, and something to hold in your hands the inmu can help you to calm down, keep track of your thoughts, centre you, and give you peace of mind.

The inmu is a multi sensory stimulation tool – also as therapy

The inmu’s handy shape and mobility make it a unique tool for therapy. You can use it anywhere you need to and in any situation where it is required.

The combination of mobility, tactile stimulation, vibration and music that responds to movement makes the inmu a sensory tool, where only the imagination sets the limits.

See this video on why sensory stimulation is essential for us and why the inmu is such a unique sensory tool.

Want to learn more about sensory stimulation? Click here to hear expert Charlotte Voetmann share her experience with sensory stimulation to help, for example, people suffering from dementia for better well-being in their everyday lives.

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