REI Informed Consent Agreement

The REI Custom Program is an online subscription-based program employing Rhythmic Entrainment Intervention (REI) technology. REI is based on techniques used around the world for thousands of years. These techniques rely on two aspects of the human nervous system: that a repetitive rhythmic stimulus can have a synchronizing effect and that a novel stimulus can have an activating effect on the brain.

REI was developed by Jeff Strong after over ten years of ethno-musicological research into the traditional techniques (from 1982-1993). Starting in 1993, clinical research was conducted to develop the protocols for the REI Custom Program.  Many research projects have been conducted, with studies and articles published in various journals (you can read some of the research in the Resource section of the Strong Institute website).

The REI Custom Program was created in 2004, after eleven years of clinical research. The composition and protocols for this program have continued to evolve through the collection and analysis of data. The current REI Custom Program is the most effective REI option to date. The REI Custom Program is only available through the Strong Institute, often by way of one of our many Authorized REI Providers.

REI Custom Program Process

The REI Custom Program is a subscription-based online auditory stimulation program. This program consists of an online intake form from which your custom program tracks are created. Your first REI Audio track is created from your initial REI Custom Program intake form submission. Each additional REI audio track is created by adjusting the stimulation based on your answers to the daily and periodic adjustment feedback forms, the schedule of which is dependent on the program and symptoms categories you select. You receive daily email reminders, which you can opt out of if you choose.

Possible Benefits

Over ninety-five percent of our clients see significant results with the REI Custom Program. These results vary from the minimal to the profound. Our clients see gains in one or more areas including; anxiety, attention/focus, mood, sleep, sensory processing, self-stimulatory behaviors, language and communication, behavioral issues, cognitive issues, social skills, among others.

Possible Side Effects

Though most people see significant benefit with the REI Custom Program, it is possible that you will not see gains and may, in fact, experience temporary side effects during the program. These side effects are rare, occurring in less than five percent of the cases, but include; sleeplessness, agitation, anxiety, depression, and symptoms of sensory processing dysfunction. These side effects are often the results of listening to the REI Custom Program too loudly or too often.

Long Term negative responses have never been observed. Any side effects seen have disappeared within 3 days after stopping playing the REI Audio tracks.

If any of these side effects should be experienced, please discontinue using the REI Custom Program and contact the Strong Institute Client Support Staff at 800-659-6644 or [email protected].

Client Rights and Responsibilities

As an REI Custom Program client or the legal guardian of a an REI Custom Program client you have the following rights and responsibilities:

• You will receive new custom-made REI audio tracks according to the schedule for the program you purchased. Each of these tracks is created based upon your feedback and it is your responsibility to complete the daily and weekly feedback forms in order to receive your new track.  Accurate and timely completion of these forms is necessary for you to gain the most from this program. Please contact us if you have any difficulty completing these forms.
• You are entitled to unlimited email and phone support from the Strong Institute Client Support Staff. It is their job to help you achieve significant results from the program and we encourage you to call 800-659-6644 or email [email protected] if you have questions or need help.
• You understand that the Strong Institute cannot guarantee results from the REI Custom Program and that, even though you choose symptoms to focus on for your program, your results may not reflect the symptom categories you selected in your intake.

Strong Institute Rights and Responsibilities

In order to ensure you receive the greatest gains form the REI Custom Program the Strong Institute will do the following:

• Apply your intake and follow-up data to your custom program creation.
• Review, at your request, your REI Custom Program tracks and adjustments and manually adjust them to better meet your needs in the unlikely case of no improvement or symptom regression.
• Consult with you, at no cost, during the REI Custom Program subscription period to help you understand and implement the program in the most effective way for you.

Fees

The fees for the REI Custom Program vary based on level and are clearly posted on our website. There are no additional fees beyond those posted, unless additional services or products are purchased, such as extension of program subscription services, generalized REI CDs or downloads, or subscriptions to Brain Shift Radio.

Cancellation and Refunds

Monthly payment plans

You may cancel your REI Custom Program subscription at any time. You will be billed for each complete 30-day period beginning on your initial purchase date for a total of six months. Cancellations will receive no refund for any previous months or partial month from your cancellation date. You will have access to your program until the end of the period for which you have been billed. However, you will not be billed for any subsequent 30-day periods beyond your cancellation period. 

Up-front payments

If you choose to pay for the REI Custom Program in one upfront payment and wish to cancel your program prior to the six month period, we will refund the unused portion of your program at the monthly payment rate for each month or partial month you used the program. For instance, if you paid upfront and canceled at 10 weeks, you wold receive the difference between what you paid and the three monthly payments. You will have access to your program until the end of the period for which you have paid. We will calculate the stop date and refund amount based on your cancellation notice date, but please allow for 30 days to process your refund. Refunds will be credited using the same payment method as your original payment. 

Communication        

We regularly communicate with our clients via email. Though we use the latest in security technologies for email communication, there are no guarantees for privacy.

If you are concerned about your electronic communication privacy we recommend using the comments sections in the daily and weekly follow-up forms, as they are stored on a password-protected, secure server.  For privacy and immediacy, you may prefer to call us at 800-659-6644. We maintain limited client support hours and you may be prompted to leave a voicemail message. The Strong Institute’s voicemail boxes are password-protected and secure.

Privacy and Confidentiality

All information shared within your intake and follow-up forms, phone contacts, and other written records or documentation is confidential.

Your client data is held in strict confidence and is only available to the Strong Institute Client Support Staff and your Authorized REI Provider, if you have chosen to enter your provider in the provider section of Step 1 of the REI Custom Program Intake process.  None of your client information will be revealed to anyone without your written permission, except when disclosure is required by law.

There are some exceptions to confidentiality where we are legally required to disclose client information.  Key exceptions are:

• If it is indicated that you seriously intend or plan to hurt yourself or someone else
• If your condition is such that you are gravely disabled
• If there is reasonable suspicion of child, elder, or dependent adult abuse or neglect

Other exceptions to confidentiality include; litigation you may be involved in, billing account management, managed care, worker’s compensation claims, and disclosure to insurance and collection agencies.  If you plan to bill your health insurance to reimburse for the REI Custom Program, please be aware that many companies require private information about you such as symptoms and your response to the program.  This carries a certain amount of risk to privacy and to a future capacity to obtain health or life insurance.  Please refer to the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) notice regarding the use and disclosure of your Protected Health Information (PHI).

Research and publication

The Strong Institute is a research institute and, as such, we often write and publish research findings. Your client data may be part of a study without your notification. Rest assured, we will not include any identifying information about you in such publication.

Non-Discrimination

The Strong Institute prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of clients in its programs and activities.

Furthermore, Strong Institute policy includes prohibitions of harassment of students and employees, i.e., racial harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation for filing complaints of discrimination.

The Strong Institute is committed to making our programs available to anyone, including those with disabilities. We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and will make accommodations to our programs to ensure their accessibility.

Inquiries regarding these policies, including ADA accommodations, discrimination or harassment complaints, investigation, and enforcement, should be directed to Beth Kaplan at 800-659-6644, extension 506.

Mediation and Arbitration

By agreeing to the terms of this document, you are agreeing that all disputes arising out of or in relation to this agreement to provide the REI Custom Program shall first be directed to Beth Kaplan (800-659-6644 extension 506) and, if no resolution can be reached, referred to mediation, before, and as a pre-condition of, the initiation of arbitration.

Acknowledgement

By submitting the REI Custom Program Intake you as the client are age 18 or older or the legal guardian of a minor client and that you understand and agree to the all the contents of this document.