Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI) as a New Form of Manual Neuromodulation Technique

Neuromodulation is a broad term describing techniques that have the ability to directly affect the functional and developmental mechanisms of the brain or central nervous system. Some of these techniques use a transcranial mode including a self-regulation technique called neurofeedback and trans-cranial stimulation feature like trans-cranial magnetic or direct electric stimulation. One type of manual neuromodulation technique is the Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI) therapy that will be described in more details in an upcoming research paper. Briefly, MNRI was first developed by Dr. Svetlana Masgutova in 1989 in Russia and further in eastern Europe to treat individuals with certain types of sensorimotor or reflex development deficits, behavior disorders, disorders of speech or language development, and learning disabilities. It was introduced to the USA in 1996 and has since been adopted in many other countries. Clinical observations have shown that MNRI® facilitates the neurodevelopment in individuals having various neurological deficits and seems to enable them to reroute and improve their early movements, reflexes, coordination systems, and skills to optimize better functioning, development, and learning [1-4]. The MNRI® therapy program is based on the supposition that impaired reflex circuits can be reconstructed. This retraining of reflexes appears to result in the awakening of genetic sensorimotor memory in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) and other types of brain damage. This induces significant positive changes in physical strength, immune activity, and improvement in cognitive, emotional, social, and motor abilities [1,2,5].