Autogenic Training Research Articles

The psychological significance and extensions of autogenic training

The paper first discusses the changes in paradigms involved in the development of self-regulation method (SRM) from autogenic training (AT). Further, an experiential paradigm for SRM and AT is presented. In this paradigm, SRM and AT are seen as ‘modes of relating’ within the patient and modes of relating within the doctor–patient relationship. This paradigm enables SRM and AT to be used in conjunction with other psychotherapies, particularly focusing-oriented therapy (FOT). The procedure for SRM/AT used in combination with FOT is shown and two case examples are presented. Discussions of these cases show that patients regard the nature of the relationship as therapeutic more than the technique of SRM. This view supports the experiential paradigm where AT and SRM are seen as modes of relationships.

Group autogenic training in psychosomatic medicine: A pretreatment interview reduces the dropout rate

Purpose Group autogenic training (AT) programs are conducted in medical institutions in Japan. An additional interview with patients was conducted before the group AT session to inform patients of details regarding the program. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of this interview. Methods Outpatients, mostly suffering from anxiety and psychosomatic diseases, were assigned to a control ( n = 27) or an experimental group ( n = 22). In the experimental group, a pretreatment interview was conducted before starting the AT program. Four patients were excluded after the interview due to severe symptoms and time limitations for participating in all sessions. At the first and the last AT sessions, the participants completed the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Center for Epidemiological Study of Depression scale. They also reported the perceived controllability of their symptoms by using the Visual Analogue scale. At the last session, the participants and physicians rated the achievement of treatment goals. Results Patients who completed the program were significantly increased in the experimental group (95%) compared with the control group (63%). Emotional level improved equally in both groups. Participants' self-rating of controllability, as well as participant's and physician's rating achieving treatment goals were not significantly different in the two groups. Conclusions This study indicates the important role of pretreatment interviews. As a result of the interview, appropriate patients could be selected and more patients could complete the program.

Autogenic training to reduce anxiety in nursing students: randomized controlled trial

This paper reports a study to determine the effectiveness of autogenic training in reducing anxiety in nursing students. Nursing is stressful, and nursing students also have the additional pressures and uncertainties shared with all academic students. Autogenic training is a relaxation technique consisting of six mental exercises and is aimed at relieving tension, anger and stress. Meta-analysis has found large effect sizes for autogenic trainings intervention comparisons, medium effect sizes against control groups, and no effects when compared with other psychological therapies. A controlled trial with 50 nursing students found that the number of certified days off sick was reduced by autogenic training compared with no treatment, and a second trial with only 18 students reported greater improvement in Trait Anxiety, but not State Anxiety, compared with untreated controls. A randomized controlled trial with three parallel arms was completed in 1998 with 93 nursing students aged 19-49 years. The setting was a university college in the United Kingdom. The treatment group received eight weekly sessions of autogenic training, the attention control group received eight weekly sessions of laughter therapy, and the time control group received no intervention. The outcome measures were the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, blood pressure and pulse rate completed at baseline, 2 months (end of treatment), and 5, 8, and 11 months from randomization. There was a statistically significantly greater reduction of State (P<0.001) and Trait (P<0.001) Anxiety in the autogenic training group than in both other groups immediately after treatment. There were no differences between the groups for the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The autogenic training group also showed statistically significantly greater reduction immediately after treatment in systolic (P<0.01) and diastolic (P<0.05) blood pressure, and pulse rate (P<0.002), than the other two groups. CONCLUSION. Autogenic training has at least a short-term effect in alleviating stress in nursing students.

Drive dependent neural functional of the self-organisation of global drive reduction: an interspecies comparison

Introduction: We have repeatedly demonstrated the practical significance of a 0.15 Hz rhythm band in the cutaneous perfusion patterns (e.g. 1). In order to study the origin of this rhythm, we studied and analysed a set of physiological systems in the frequency domain in dog and in man by modifying the level of activation. In dog this was achieved using anesthetics and in man using relaxation techniques. Methods: An adult male mongrel dog (BW18kg) was administered additional chloralose-urethane after fading of the initial anesthesia. Invasively recorded were blood pressure, intrapleural pressure, and extracellular neural activity of reticular neurons in the brainstem. In man, an expert (female, 56 yrs.) practiced autogenic training while non-invasively recording blood pressure, thoracic excursions, and forehead skin perfusion. Analysis used non-linear routines: Morlet-Wavelet time frequency spectra, Pointwise transinformation. Results: In both species, non-linear analysis unveiled identical dynamics in response to the experimental maneuvers as the 0.15 Hz emerged first in unspecific neurons to appear in all other cardiovascular time series. Discussion: The reticular formation (RF) in the lower brainstem was shown to be responsible for the generation of cardio-vascular-respiratory rhythms in mammals in a frequency band at 0.15 Hz. This rhythm emerged in unspecific reticular neurons of the RF not associated with any specific nuclei. This rhythm was therefore referred to as the reticular rhythm (retR) which was not identical with the respiratory rhythm, but both were coordinated exhibiting temporarily phase- and frequency-coupling (2,3).

Hypnotic Treatment of Chronic Pain

This article reviews controlled trials of hypnotic treatment for chronic pain in terms of: (1) analyses comparing the effects of hypnotic treatment to six types of control conditions; (2) component analyses; and (3) predictor analyses. The findings indicate that hypnotic analgesia produces significantly greater decreases in pain relative to no-treatment and to some non-hypnotic interventions such as medication management, physical therapy, and education/advice. However, the effects of self-hypnosis training on chronic pain tend to be similar, on average, to progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic training, both of which often include hypnotic-like suggestions. None of the published studies have compared hypnosis to an equally credible placebo or minimally effective pain treatment, therefore conclusions cannot yet be made about whether hypnotic analgesia treatment is specifically effective over and above its effects on patient expectancy. Component analyses indicate that labeling versus not labeling hypnosis treatment as hypnosis, or including versus not including hand-warming suggestions, have relatively little short-term impact on outcome, although the hypnosis label may have a long-term benefit. Predictor analyses suggest that global hypnotic responsivity and ability to experience vivid images are associated with treatment outcome in hypnosis, progressive relaxation, and autogenic training treatments. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of the findings for future hypnosis research and for the clinical applications of hypnotic analgesia.

Psychological Factors in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Chronic pain disability is a challenging condition in which biological, psychological, and social factors dynamically interact with each other. Especially the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with CRPS put demands on techniques as well as on the rehabilitation framework. The general recommendation is a multidisciplinary team approach for CRPS patients. The psychological contribution should comprise a thorough assessment, followed by a psychological pain management component including relaxation/biofeedback training, cognitive interventions, behavioral interventions and extended cognitive-behavioral therapy.Approximately one-half to two-third of all patients diagnosed with chronic pain manifest various levels of psychological distress. Still, there is insufficient research-based information about the role of psychological factors in the etiology, prognosis and clinical picture of CRPS.Studies reveal that patients for whom CRPS-1 developed after radial forearm fracture seem to have neither a unique psychological pattern nor display more symptoms of depression than those who fully recover. In fact, CRPS patients seem to have common psychological features and show the same amount of anxiety and depression as patients with Fibromyalgia and Repetitive Strain Injury. Physical therapy in combination with autogenic relaxation training seems to lead to a significant improvement in limb temperature compared to physical therapy alone.Further research is needed to improve theory about psychological factors in CRPS. At present, there seems to be no published study specifically evaluating psychological factors in the etiology, clinical picture or prognosis of CRPS. Comparative controlled studies should be made to create practical clinical treatment methods for the patients. Probable psychological topics of importance in understanding CRPS are, among other distress factors: affect regulation and particularly alexithymia, fear-avoidance and catastrophising.

Integrative medical therapy: examination of meditation's therapeutic and global medicinal outcomes via nitric oxide (review).

Relaxation techniques are part of the integrative medicine movement that is of growing importance for mainstream medicine. Complementary medical therapies have the potential to affect many physiological systems. Repeatedly studies show the benefits of the placebo response and relaxation techniques in the treatment of hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety and mild and moderate depression, premenstrual syndrome, and infertility. In itself, relaxation is characterized by a decreased metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, and rate of breathing as well as an increase in skin temperature. Relaxation approaches, such as progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, meditation and biofeedback, are effective in lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients by a significant margin. Given this association with changes in vascular tone, we have hypothesized that nitric oxide, a demonstrated vasodilator substance, contribute to physiological activity of relaxation approaches. We examined the scientific literature concerning the disorders noted earlier for their nitric oxide involvement in an attempt to provide a molecular rationale for the positive effects of relaxation approaches, which are physiological and cognitive process. We conclude that constitutive nitric oxide may crucially contribute to potentially beneficial outcomes and effects in diverse pathologies, exerting a global healing effect.

Autogenic Feedback Training Exercise: A Treatment for Airsickness in Military Pilots

In this article, we present physiological data from 2 male pilots who completed a 6-hr training program for control of motion sickness at National Aeronautic and Space Administration Ames Research Center. The program consisted of an Autogenic Feedback Training Exercise in which research participants learn through operant conditioning techniques to regulate several physiological responses to suppress their symptoms. We evaluated training progress during rotating-chair motion sickness tests. We assessed motion sickness tolerance by calculating the number of cumulative rotations that research participants were able to achieve in the rotating chair prior to reaching their major malaise endpoint. We rated motion sickness symptoms using a standard diagnostic scale. We obtained physiological data from one pilot during a training flight in an F–18 aircraft after completion of his training. Results demonstrate a significant increase in tolerance to laboratory-induced motion sickness tests and a reduction in autonomic nervous system response levels following training. During subsequent flight qualification tests on F–18 and T–38 aircraft, both pilots were successful at controlling their airsickness and were returned to active flight status.

Complementary/alternative medicine for hypertension: a mini-review

Many hypertensive patients try complementary/alternative medicine for blood pressure control. Based on extensive electronic literature searches, the evidence from clinical trials is summarised. Numerous herbal remedies, non-herbal remedies and other approaches have been tested and some seem to have antihypertensive effects. The effect size is usually modest, and independent replications are frequently missing. The most encouraging data pertain to garlic, autogenic training, biofeedback and yoga. More research is required before firm recommendations can be offered.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Japanese Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – Effectiveness of Behavior Therapy and Fluvoxamine

Background: The aim of this study was to confirm and compare the efficacy of fluvoxamine (the only licensed SSRI for treatment for OCD in Japan) and behavior therapy in treating Japanese patients with OCD. In addition, we investigated predictors of these treatments. Methods: Thirty-one outpatients meeting the DSM-III-R criteria for OCD without any axis I disorder were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions: BT (behavior therapy ± pill placebo), FLV [autogenic training (a psychological placebo for OCD) ± fluvoxamine] and control group [autogenic training (psychological placebo) ± pill placebo] for 12 weeks of treatment. The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement Scale (CGI-I) were administered blindly at baseline and week 4, 8 and 12. Results: Twenty-eight patients completed this study. Patients in the BT and FLV groups showed significantly more improvement than those in the control group in the mean score of total Y-BOCS; moreover, the BT group showed significantly more reduction in total Y-BOCS score at the end of treatment than the FLV group (BT > FLV, p < 0.01). Patients with lower baseline total Y-BOCS, past history of a major depressive episode and absence of cleaning compulsion improved more with fluvoxamine. Conclusions: We confirmed the effectiveness of behavior therapy and fluvoxamine for Japanese patients with OCD. Behavior therapy improved the condition of OCD patients more than fluvoxamine.

Extended application and efficacy of autogenic training in psychosomatic medicine: the psychological significance and extension of autogenic training

Extended application and efficacy of autogenic training in psychosomatic medicine: the psychological significance and extension of autogenic training

Relaxation and Health-Related Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis: The Example of Autogenic Training

This study was a pilot project to explore the effect of an autogenic training program (AT; a relaxation intervention) on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and well-being for people with multiple sclerosis. Participants either met weekly for sessions in AT for 10 weeks (n = 11) or were assigned to the control group (n = 11). The AT group was also asked to practice the technique daily at home. Scales designed to measure HRQOL and aspects of well-being (mood and depressed affect) were taken preintervention and at week 8 of the 10-week program. ANCOVAs using a measure of social support and pretest scores as covariates revealed that at the posttest the AT group reported more energy and vigor than the control group and were less limited in their roles due to physical and emotional problems. Future research should involve studies conducted over an extended period, together with sufficiently sized samples to explore the effect of frequency of practice of relaxation training on HRQOL and well-being for people with multiple sclerosis.

Wirkung des Autogenen Trainings auf Befinden und Stimmung von Patienten einer psychotherapeutischen Ambulanz

The effects of autogenic training on mood and feeling in connection with personality traits were investigated by personality inventories (trait variables: Eysenck Personality Inventary, EPI) and mood scales (state variables: Adjective List of Janke und Debus, EWL). Investigated were 65 patients (12 patients in. a single course) with less severe major depressive episode, dysthymia, less severe agoraphobia, less severe social phobia, less severe general anxiety disorder, less severe longer depressive reaction, less severe neurasthenia, sleeping disorders, general vegetative disorders, vegetative stomach and intestine disorders, vegetative heart and circulatory disorders, headache. The patients were divided into two subgroups: emotionally stable subjects and emotionally labile ones. Each and every course of autogenic training was guided by the same psychotherapist and lasted 12 weeks with a weekly training session of one hour. To avoid periodical influences the sessions always took place at the same day of the week and at the same hour of the day. The first session concerned a general introduction into the method and the questionnaires. The patients were introduced to the six basic components of autogenic training step by step: (1) general rest or calmness, (2) heaviness and warmth of the limbs, (3) solar plexus, (4) respiration, (5) heart, (6) forehead. The real training time was three times ten minutes in each and every session. During the rest of the hour difficulties in training during the session itself and at home were discussed. The questionnaires were applied four times always in the same fashion: before the first session, after the first session, before the last session and after the last session. At the end of the course the subjects assessed their motivation according to three degrees: (1) highly motivated, i.e. daily training at home; (2) fairly motivated, i.e. training at home at least four times a week; (3) less motivated, i.e. less than four times a week. Correlation between EPI and EWL and differences in mean values of the respective scales of the whole group and the subgroups were computed. There are significantly positive effects of the training on mood and feeling. Positive mood increases significantly and negative mood decreases significantly. The effects were distinct especially in the scales activity, extra-version,introversion, irritation,anxiety and Concerning neuroticism, this variable in general had no disturbing effects on the course of training because the patients with higher neuroticism scores were more motivated for the training, i.e. showed a higher compliance. Therefore, the effects of autogenic training on neuroticism are also pronounced. Neuroticism decreases significantly during the training period.There are also significant improvements in mood and feeling in connection to neuroticism. The higher neuroticism, the significantly higher the difference in negative mood, irritation, anxiety and depression. In general, the changes through immediate influence at the beginning of the training were significantly higher than at the end of the course. This is evidence for a tendency for harmonisation of mood and feeling during the treatment. The results are discussed in comparison with the findings of other authors.

Effect of pranayam (yogic breathing) and shavasan (relaxation training) on the frequency of benign ventricular ectopics in two patients with palpitations

Deep breathing at six breaths per minute has been recently reported to be associated with a significant reduction in the frequency of premature ventricular complexes (PVC) in certain subjects [ [1] Prakash E.S. Ravindra P.N. Anilkumar R. Balachander J. Madanmohan Effect of deep breathing at six breaths per minute on frequency of premature ventricular depolarization. Indian Heart J. 2004; 56 (abstract): 494 Google Scholar ]. The cardiorespiratory effects of guided, pranayam (slow and deep diaphragmatic breathing followed by alternate nostril breathing at rate of 6/min) and shavasan (guided progressive muscle relaxation) have been reported earlier [ 2 Madanmohan Rai U.C. Balavittal V. Thombre D.P. Gitananda S. Cardiorespiratory changes during savitri pranayam and shavasan. Yoga Rev. 1983; 3: 25-34 Google Scholar , 3 Goyeche J.R. Abo Y. Ikemi Y. Asthma: the yoga perspective: Part II. Yoga therapy in the treatment of asthma. J Asthma. 1982; 19: 189-201 Crossref PubMed Scopus (28) Google Scholar ]. Relaxation instruction and breathing exercises have been reported to have beneficial effects in patients with a previous myocardial infarction [ [4] van Dixhoorn J. Cardiorespiratory effects of breathing and relaxation instruction in myocardial infarction patients. Biol Psychol. 1998; 49: 123-135 Crossref PubMed Scopus (41) Google Scholar ] and in a variety of psychosomatic conditions [ [5] Linden W. Autogenic training: a narrative and quantitative review of clinical outcome. Biofeedback Self Regul. 1994; 19: 227-264 Crossref PubMed Scopus (49) Google Scholar ]. The rosary prayer and yoga mantras which involve slow and deep breathing have been demonstrated to synchronize cardiovascular rhythms and enhance respiratory sinus arrhythmia [ [6] Bernardi L. Sleight P. Bandinelli G. Cencetti S. Fattorini L. Wdowczyc-Szulc J. et al. Effect of rosary prayer and yoga mantras on autonomic cardiovascular rhythms: comparative study. BMJ. 2001; 323: 1446-1449 Crossref PubMed Scopus (285) Google Scholar ]. However, the effect of pranayam and relaxation training on frequency of PVC has not been studied so far. We hypothesized that pranayam with relaxation training may reduce the frequency of ectopics by effects on autonomic modulation of SA node. We report here the effect of pranayam and relaxation training on frequency of PVC in two patients with palpitations.

Effect of Autogenic Training on Cardiac Autonomic Nervous Activity in High Risk Ambulancemen for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Effect of Autogenic Training on Cardiac Autonomic Nervous Activity in High Risk Ambulancemen for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Psychologic Management of Brace Therapy for Patients With Idiopathic Scoliosis

A trial of brace therapy modified by a measured personality pattern of patients with idiopathic scoliosis was performed. To evaluate the effectiveness of performing personality tests for patients with idiopathic scoliosis who undergo brace therapy. Brace therapy has often been used for the treatment of scoliosis. However, emotional distress can result from this therapy. Few attempts have been made to reduce such stress. A test using the Maudsley Personality Inventory was performed on 145 adolescent females with idiopathic scoliosis, treated with brace therapy alone, before the start of brace therapy and 1 month after the start of brace therapy. On the basis of test results, the patients were rated as normal type and four abnormal types. Brace therapy was continued considering the personality pattern of patients. For all patients, changes in psychologic test results, compliance with braces wearing instructions, and correction of scoliosis were analyzed. Of the 134 patients rated as normal before the start of therapy, 108 patients were rated as abnormal pattern when tested 1 month after the start of therapy. After performing autogenic training for patients with E-N+ and E-N- personalities, and giving advice to school teachers to decrease the emotional stress for patients with E+N+ personality, 47 patients were finally rated as abnormal pattern. In total, 12 (8%) of the 145 patients dropped out. In dropouts, the average pretreatment deformity of 29 degrees (range: 21 degrees -37 degrees ) had increased to an average of 37 degrees (range, 31 degrees -48 degrees ). Psychologic tests may be useful and provide a means of modifying brace therapy tailored to the psychologic conditions of individual patients.

The Effect of the Definition of Menstrually-Related Headache on the Response to Biofeedback Treatment

Twelve women with either pure migraine headache (HA) or a combination of migraine and tension-type HA monitored HA activity over two menstrual cycles while noting onset of menstruation and onset of ovulation. They then received 12 sessions of thermal biofeedback (TBF) with adjunctive autogenic training. Six women with only tension-type HA participated in similar monitoring before receiving 9 sessions of progressive relaxation training. Results for those with vascular HA showed a significant reduction in HA activity and a reduction in medication taken for HAs. Those with tension-type HA did not respond significantly to the relaxation training. Depending upon how one defined menstrually-related HAs among those with vascular HA, there either was, or was not, a differential effect of TBF on menstrual-cycle-related HA.

Autogenic training as a therapy for adjustment disorder in adults

Autogenic training is a widely recognised psychotherapy technique. The British School of Autogenic Training cites a large list of disorders, states, and changes, where autogenic training may prove to be of help. We wanted to explore the application of autogenic training as a therapy for adjustment disorder in adults. Our sample consisted of a homogeneous group of 35 individuals, with an average age of 39.3 +/- 1.6 years, who were diagnosed with adjustment disorder, F 43.2, in accordance with ICD 10 search criteria. The aim of our study was to research the effectiveness of autogenic training as a therapy for adjustment disorder in adults, by checking the influence of autogenic training on the biophysical and biochemical indicators of adjustment disorder. We measured the indicators of adjustment disorder and their changes in three phases: before the beginning, immediately after the beginning, and six months after the completion, of a practical course in autogenic training. We measured systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure, brachial pulse rate as well as the levels of cortisol in plasma, of cholesterol in blood, and of glucose. During that period, autogenic training functioned as the sole therapy. The study confirmed our preliminary assumptions. The measurements we performed demonstrated that arterial blood pressure, pulse rate, concentration of cholesterol and cortisol, after the application of autogenic training among the subjects suffering from adjustment disorder, were lower in comparison to the initial values. These values remained lower even six months after the completion of the practical course in autogenic training. Autogenic training significantly decreases the values of physiological indicators of adjustment disorder, diminishes the effects of stress in an individual, and helps adults to cope with stress, facilitating their recuperation.

Autogenic training as a therapy for adjustment disorder in adolescents

Autogenic training is a widespread technique used in psychotherapy. The British school of autogenic training cites a large list of diseases, health states, and life changes, in which autogenic training can be of help. We wanted to explore the application of autogenic training as a therapy for adjustment disorder in adolescents. The sample consisted of a homogeneous group of 31 individuals, with an average age of 17.3 +/- 0.2 years, who were diagnosed with adjustment disorder, F 43.2, in accordance with ICD 10 search criteria. The aim of our work was to figure out the influence of autogenic training on adjustment disorder, through biophysical and biochemical indicators, and to research the efficiacy of autogenic training as a therapy for adjustment disorder in adolescents. We observed adjustment disorder indicators and their changes in three phases, using initial, final, and control values, which we measured immediately before the beginning, immediately after the completion, and six months after the completion, of the practical course in autogenic training. We measured systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure, brachial pulse rates, cortisol levels in plasma, cholesterol levels in blood, as well as glucose concentrations. During that period, autogenic training was employed as the sole therapy. The study confirmed our preliminary assumptions. The measurements we performed showed that arterial blood pressure, pulse rates, cholesterol and cortisol concentrations, after the application of autogenic training among adolescents suffering from adjustment disorder, were lower than the initial values. They remained lower even six months after the completion of the practical course in autogenic training. We concluded that autogenic training significantly decreases the values of physiological indicators of adjustment disorder, diminishes the effects of stress in an individual, and eases the adaptation of adolescents to stress, helping with recovery.

Treatment motives as predictors of acquisition and transfer of relaxation methods to everyday life

This article presents results from four studies of the significance of type and number of initial treatment motives for acquisition and transfer to everyday life of progressive relaxation (PR) and autogenic training (AT). On the basis of theories of treatment motivation and compliance, we hypothesize that motives for participation are determinants of learning and transfer. Results are reported from (1) two studies with 113 participants in introductory courses on AT and 94 participants in introductory courses on PR and (2) two replication studies with 94 (AT) and 101 participants (PR). Participants indicated their motives for participation. Short-term indicators of treatment success include number of dropouts and subjective evaluations of relaxation exercises; long-term outcomes include transfer of relaxation exercises to everyday life and evaluations of exercise evaluations at follow-up 3 to 6 months after the end of course. Results suggest that for both AT and PR, dropout and subjective relaxation exercise evaluations can be predicted from participation motives. Long-term outcomes can be predicted only for AT. However, for both PR and AT it is shown that for up to four motives, the number of initial course motives is correlated with short-term and long-term predictors of course outcome. We conclude that motivation for participation is highly relevant to client-course matching and adaptive indication of relaxation therapies. Results lead to a threshold hypothesis about the relationship between the number of participation motives and short-term as well as long-term learning and transfer outcome.