RMTI — Rhythmic Movement Training Integration

Presentation

RMTI (Rhythmic Movement Training Integration) is a gentle therapeutic method developed in 2003 by Dr. Harald Blomberg, a Swedish psychiatrist, and Moira Dempsey, an Australian kinesiologist. This approach builds on the pioneering work of Kerstin Linde, a Swedish photographer and therapist who in the 1970s systematically observed and catalogued the spontaneous rhythmic movements that infants naturally perform in their first months of life. Linde found that these rocking, rolling and sliding movements, far from being random, followed precise and reproducible patterns that stimulated central nervous system development.

Dr. Blomberg began using these rhythmic movements in his psychiatric practice with children and adults presenting developmental, behavioral and learning disorders, observing significant improvements. His collaboration with Moira Dempsey, who brought her expertise in kinesiology and primitive reflex integration, gave birth to RMTI as practiced today. RMTI is now taught in over 30 countries and represents one of the most accessible and gentle approaches for primitive reflex integration, applicable from infants just weeks old to adults.

RMTI's distinctive feature is its simplicity and gentleness. Unlike other reflex integration approaches using direct stimulations or manipulations, RMTI reproduces natural conditions of neuromotor development through gentle, repetitive rocking movements. These movements are so natural that parents can perform them after minimal training, making it particularly suited for the family context.

Fundamental Principles

RMTI is founded on the understanding that infant neurological development is intimately linked to spontaneous movements. From the first weeks of life, babies perform repetitive rhythmic movements — head rocking, creeping motions, body rolling — that serve as essential neurological exercises stimulating three fundamental systems.

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, is the first sensory system to mature. It is stimulated by every rocking and swaying movement, serving as the "foundation" for all other functions: balance, muscle tone, ocular coordination, auditory processing, spatial awareness and emotional security. The brainstem (medulla, pons and midbrain) controls automatic vital functions and constitutes the first level of sensory information processing. RMTI rhythmic movements stimulate brainstem maturation, improving muscle tone regulation, biological rhythms, breathing and vegetative functions. Primitive reflexes are automatic motor programs controlled by the brainstem. When the brainstem matures through adequate vestibular stimulation, it can inhibit primitive reflexes and allow mature postural reflexes to emerge. RMTI thus uses an indirect strategy: rather than working directly on individual reflexes, it stimulates global brainstem and vestibular maturation.

Technical Details

Full name

RMTI — Rhythmic Movement Training Integration

Creators

Dr. Harald Blomberg (psychiatrist, Sweden) and Moira Dempsey (kinesiologist, Australia)

Original inspiration

Kerstin Linde (Sweden, 1970s)

Year of creation

2003 (RMTI formalization)

Therapeutic family

Perinatal and pediatric kinesiology, reflex integration, neurodevelopment

Session duration

45 to 60 minutes (initial assessment: 75 to 90 minutes)

Recommended frequency

Professional sessions every 4 to 8 weeks with daily home practice (5-15 minutes)

Target audience

Infants (from a few weeks), children, adolescents, adults

Required training

RMTI certification (3 levels: RMTI-1 Ready, RMTI-2 Connections, RMTI-3 Making it Work + complementary modules)

Countries practicing

Over 30 countries

Main Indications

• Attention disorders, hyperactivity and impulsivity (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorders (complementary to specialized care)
• Academic learning difficulties (reading, writing, mathematics)
• Psychomotor developmental delay in infants and children
• Emotional regulation disorders (tantrums, anxiety, hypersensitivity)
• Motor coordination disorders (dyspraxia, clumsiness)
• Sleep disorders and difficulty falling asleep
• Nocturnal enuresis (retained Spinal Galant reflex)
• Sensory hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity
• Balance and muscle tone disorders (hypo or hypertonia)
• Fine motor difficulties (grip, writing)
• Speech and language disorders
• Post-traumatic stress and generalized anxiety in adults
• Postural disorders and chronic pain related to retained reflexes

Session Process

The first session begins with a comprehensive assessment including developmental history (pregnancy, birth, motor milestones, medical history), a questionnaire on retained reflex signs, and clinical evaluation. The clinical evaluation includes posture observation, muscle tone assessment, balance and coordination tests, and standardized reflex testing. The practitioner also assesses tolerance to rhythmic movement, as some hypersensitive patients may initially experience discomfort, dizziness or emotional reactivity.

Rhythmic movements are introduced gradually. The patient lies on a floor mat. Basic movements include lateral rocking (gentle side-to-side swaying while lying on back), anterior-posterior rocking (gentle head-to-feet back-and-forth), sliding (simulated creeping motion on the stomach), and gentle bouncing (small rhythmic impulses transmitted through feet or shoulders). Each movement is performed for 2-5 minutes at a slow, regular rhythm replicating natural infant movement tempo.

Movements can be passive (practitioner or parent performs the movement, ideal for infants), active (patient performs movements independently, for older children and adults), or combined. A home exercise program of 3-5 movements practiced daily for 5-15 minutes is prescribed. Follow-up sessions every 4-8 weeks reassess reflexes and adjust the program. A complete program typically lasts 6 to 18 months.

Variations and Sub-techniques

• RMTI-1 Ready (School Ready): core program targeting learning-related reflexes (Moro, ATNR, TLR, STNR), particularly suited for school-age children
• RMTI-2 Connections: intermediate level working on connections between brain levels (brainstem, cerebellum, cortex)
• RMTI-3 Making it Work: advanced level integrating emotional and behavioral dimensions, stress-related reflexes
• RMTI for Infants: specific protocol from first weeks of life, entirely passive and extremely gentle movements integrated into daily care
• RMTI and Emotions: supplementary module focused on stress and emotion management reflexes (Moro, Fear Paralysis, Withdrawal)
• RMTI Face: program targeting oro-facial reflexes (sucking, rooting, Babkin) for feeding, speech and articulation disorders

Contraindications

• Unstabilized epilepsy (vestibular stimulation may potentially trigger seizures; adapt rhythm and amplitude with medical advice)
• Recent spinal or cranial surgery (wait for complete consolidation)
• Active benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) — treat BPPV first
• Severe bone fragility (osteogenesis imperfecta) — adapt passive movement pressure
• Recent brain injury or unstable neurological state (prior medical advice mandatory)
• Persistent intense emotional reactions after movements (reduce duration and intensity)
• RMTI does not replace conventional medical or paramedical care for diagnosed disorders