Clinical Application of Dynamic Theory Concepts According to Tscharnuter Akademie for Movement Organization (TAMO) Therapy

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe the relationship between specific concepts of dynamic theories and specific Tscharnuter Akademie for Movement Organization (TAMO) therapy principles.

Key points: Theories of dynamic perception, such as functional coupling between organism and environment, active pick-up of task-specific information, functional coupling between perception and action are emphasized. Principles of TAMO examination and treatment apply theoretical concepts of nonlinear, reciprocal interactions between organism and environment, information-based perception and action, internal and external forces acting on the body. To determine skill levels, TAMO focuses on self-produced actions, their adaptability to diverse situations, and the active and selective pick-up of task-specific information. Without moving the patient, the therapist provides task-specific information and changes the existing force distribution through a gentle, task-specific loading input; thus patients are challenged to actively reorganize to new situations. The variability associated with exploring available movement possibilities teaches patients which perceptual-motor aspects need to be monitored. Subsequently, these rules of coordination can be spontaneously generalized to a variety of similar situations.