Autogenic

training

Autogenic training is a
desensitization-relaxation
technique developed by the
German psychiatrist Johannes
Heinrich Schultz[1] by which a
psychophysiologically
determined relaxation response
is obtained.[2] The technique
was first published in 1932.
Studying the self-reports of
people immersed in a hypnotic
state, J.H. Schultz noted that
physiological changes are
accompanied by certain
feelings.[3] Abbé Faria and
Émile Coué are the forerunners
of Schultz. The technique
involves repetitions of a set of
visualisations that induce a
state of relaxation and is based
on passive concentration of
bodily perceptions (e.g.,
heaviness and warmth of arms,
legs), which are facilitated by
self-suggestions.[2][4] The
technique is used to alleviate
many stress-induced
psychosomatic disorders.[4]

Autogenic training
MeSH D001326

[edit on Wikidata]

Biofeedback practitioners
integrate basic elements of
autogenic imagery and have
simplified versions of parallel
techniques that are used in
combination with biofeedback.
This was done at the
Menninger Foundation by Elmer
Green, Steve Fahrio, Patricia
Norris, Joe Sargent, Dale
Walters and others. They
incorporated the hand warming
imagery of autogenic training
and used it as an aid to develop
thermal biofeedback.[1]

History
The roots of this technique lie
in the research carried out by
Oscar Vogt in the field of sleep
and hypnosis. Vogt
investigated individuals who
had experience in hypnotic
sessions. Under his guidance,
they were able to go into a
state (similar to a hypnotic
state) for a self-determined
period of time. These short-
term mental exercises
appeared to reduce stress or
effects such as fatigue and
tension. In the meantime, other
disturbing effects (e.g.
headaches) could be avoided.
Inspired by this research and
Vogt's work, Johannes Heinrich
Schultz became interested in
the phenomenon of
autosuggestion. He wanted to
explore an approach, which
would avoid undesirable
implications of hypnotherapy
(e.g., the passivity of the
individual and dependency on
the therapist). When he was
investigating hallucinations in
healthy persons, he found that
a majority of the subjects
reported having two types of
experienced sensation:
heaviness in the extremities
and feeling of warmth. Schultz
wanted to understand whether
simply imagining a state of
heaviness and warmth in one's
limbs could induce a state
similar to hypnosis. Based on
this idea he developed six basic
exercises.[5]

Autogenic training was

popularized in North America
and the English-speaking world
by Wolfgang Luthe, who co-
authored, with Schultz, a multi-
volume tome on autogenic
training. In 1963 Luthe
discovered the significance of
"autogenic discharges",
paroxysmic phenomena of
motor, sensorial, visual and
emotional nature related to the
traumatic history of the patient,
and developed the method of
"autogenic abreaction". His
disciple Luis de Rivera, a McGill
University-trained psychiatrist,
introduced psychodynamic
concepts[6] into Luthe's
approach, developing
"autogenic analysis"[7] as a new
method for uncovering the
unconscious.

Practice and e�ects

The main purpose of autogenic
training is the achievement of
autonomic self-regulation by
removing environmental
distraction, training imagery
that accompanies autonomic
self-regulation, and by providing
a facilitative set of exercises
that are easy to learn and
remember.[8]

Autogenic training is based on

3 main principles:[5]

Reduction of afferent
stimulation (both
exteroceptive and
 proprioceptive)
Mental repetition of verbal
formulae
Passive concentration

In the context of autogenic

training passive concentration
means that the trainee is
instructed to concentrate on
inner sensations rather than
environmental stimuli.
Passiveness refers to allowing
sensations to happen and
being an observer rather than a
manipulator.[4]

The training can be performed

in different postures:[5]

Simple sitting
Reclined armchair
Horizontal posture

The technique consists of six

standard exercises according
to Schultz:[5][9]

1. Muscular relaxation by
repetition of a verbal
formula, "My right arm is
heavy", emphasizing
heaviness. During the
initial stages of the
training, the feeling of
 heaviness in the trained
arm is more expressed
and occurs more rapidly.
The same feeling can be
experienced in the other
extremities at the same
time in the other arm.
Within a week, a short
concentration can trigger
the sensation of
heaviness in a trainee's
arms and legs.[4]
2. Passive concentration
focuses on feeling warm,
initiated by the instruction
"My right arm is warm".
3. Initiation of cardiac
activity using the formula
"My heartbeat is calm and
regular".
4. Passive concentration on
the respiratory
mechanism with the
formula "It breathes me".
5. Concentration on the
warmth in the abdominal
region with "My solar
plexus is warm" formula.
6. Passive concentration on
coolness in the cranial
region with the formula
 "My forehead is cool".

When a new exercise step is

added in autogenic training, the
trainee should always
concentrate initially on the
already learned exercises and
then add a new exercise. In the
beginning, a new exercise is
added for only brief periods.[4]

According to the specific

clinical needs, different
modifications of formulas are
used. These modifications can
be classified into 3 main
types:[4]
 Only a few formulas are used
(e.g., the formulas of
heaviness and warmth)
The standard set of formulas
is taught, but one specific
formula is modified
The standard set is used and
a complementary, problem-
specific formula is added.

A study by Spencer[1] suggests

that autogenic training restores
the balance between the
activity of the sympathetic
(flight or fight) and the
parasympathetic (rest and
digest) branches of the
autonomic nervous system.
The author hypothesizes that
this can have important health
benefits, as the
parasympathetic activity
promotes digestion and bowel
movements, lowers the blood
pressure, slows the heart rate,
and promotes the functions of
the immune system.

Neurophysiological
aspects
There is a lack of
neurophysiological
investigations addressing this
topic; however, one EEG study
from 1963 suggests that the
decrease in afferent stimulation
induces:[10]

Reduction in reticulo-cortical
activity
Decrease in thalamo-cortical
activity
Functional changes in the
structures connected to
reticular system
(hypothalamus, limbic
system, red nucleus, globus
 pallidus)

The same study suggests that

EEG patterns obtained from
subjects with different level of
practice are not similar.

Another study from 1958

hypothesizes that autogenic
state is between the normal
waking state and sleep. It
suggests that EEG patterns
occurring during autogenic
training are similar to
electrophysiological changes
occurring during initial stages
of sleep.[11]
Contraindications
Autogenic training is contra-
indicated for children below the
age of 5 and the individuals
whose symptoms cannot be
controlled.[5]

Clinical application and

evidence
Autogenic training has different
applications and is used in a
variety of pathophysiological
conditions, such as bronchial
asthma or hypertension, as well
as psychological disorders e.g.
anxiety and depression.[5][9]
Autogenic training has been
subject to clinical evaluation
from its early days in Germany,
and from the early 1980s
worldwide. In 2002, a meta-
analysis of 60 studies was
published in Applied
Psychophysiology and
Biofeedback,[12] finding
significant positive effects of
treatment when compared to
normals over a number of
diagnoses; finding these
effects to be similar to best
recommended rival therapies;
and finding positive additional
effects by patients, such as
their perceived quality of life.
Autogenic training is
recommended in the 2016
European Society of Cardiology
Guideline for prevention of
cardiovascular disease in
persons who experience
psychosocial problems [13]. The
International Journal of
Dermatology conducted a study
and found that Autogenic
Training was potentially helpful
for improving aged skin in
women experiencing
menopause.[14]

In Japan, researchers from the

Tokyo Psychology and
Counseling Service Center have
formulated a measure for
reporting clinical effectiveness
of autogenic training.[15]

Versus other relaxation

techniques
The principle of passive
concentration in autogenic
training makes this technique
different from other relaxation
techniques such as progressive
muscle relaxation and
biofeedback, in which trainees
try to control physiological
functions. As in biofeedback,
bidirectional change in
physiological activity is
possible. Autogenic training is
classified as a self-hypnotic
technique. It is different from
hetero-hypnosis, where trance
is induced by another
individual. Autogenic training
emphasizes a trainee's
independence and gives control
from therapist to the trainee. By
this, the need for physiological
feedback devices or a
hypnotherapist is eliminated.[4]

See also
Affirmations
Progressive muscle
relaxation
Qigong
Suggestion
The Relaxation Response
Yoga nidra

References
1. LACI., SPENCER (2015).
FLOTATION : a guide for
 sensory deprivation,
relaxation, & isolation
tanks. [S.l.]: LULU COM.
ISBN 9781329173750.
OCLC 980240164 .
2. Stetter, Friedhelm; Kupper,
Sirko (2002-03-01).
"Autogenic Training: A
Meta-Analysis of Clinical
Outcome Studies". Applied
Psychophysiology and
Biofeedback. 27 (1):
45–98.
doi:10.1023/a:101457650
5223 . ISSN 1090-0586 .
PMID 12001885 .
3. Moral aspect of Autogenic
Training .
4. Principles and practice of
stress management.
Lehrer, Paul M., Woolfolk,
Robert L., Sime, Wesley E.
(3rd ed.). New York:
Guilford Press. 2007.
ISBN 9781606230008.
OCLC 144770991 .
5. Kanji, N. (1997-09-01).
"Autogenic training".
Complementary Therapies
in Medicine. 5 (3):
162–167.
doi:10.1016/s0965-2299(
97)80060-x .
6. Rivera, José Luis González
de (1997). "Autogenic
psychotherapy and
psychoanalysis" (PDF). In
Guimón, J (ed.). The body
in psychotherapy:
international congress,
Geneva, February 1–3,
1996. Basel; New York:
Karger. pp. 176–181.
ISBN 9783805562850.
OCLC 36511904 .
7. Rivera, José Luis González
de (2001). "Autogenic
analysis: the tool Freud
was looking for" (PDF).
International Journal of
Psychotherapy. 6 (1):
67–76.
doi:10.1080/13569080120
042216 .
8. Linden, Wolfgang
(1994-09-01). "Autogenic
Training: A narrative and
quantitative review of
clinical outcome".
Biofeedback and Self-
regulation. 19 (3):
227–264.
doi:10.1007/bf01721069 .
ISSN 0363-3586 .
9. Autogenic therapy. Luthe,
Wolfgang,, Schultz, J. H.
(Johannes Heinrich),
1884-1970. New York:
Grune & Stratton.
ISBN 9780808906643.
OCLC 47990 .
10. Luthe, W.; Jus, A.;
Geissmann, P. (1963).
"Autogenic State and
Autogenic Shift:
Psychophysiologic and
Neurophysiologic Aspects".
Psychotherapy and
Psychosomatics. 11 (1):
1–13.
doi:10.1159/000285660 .
ISSN 0033-3190 .
11. Israel, L., & Rohmer, F.
(1958). Variations
électroencéphalographique
s au cours de la
relaxationautogène et
hypnotique.In P. Aboulker,
L. Chertok,& M. Sapir(Eds.),
pp 88-98, La relaxation:
Aspects théoriques et
pratiques Paris: Expansion
Scientifique Française.
12. Stetter, Friedhelm; Kupper,
Sirko (March 2002).
"Autogenic training: a meta-
analysis of clinical
outcome studies". Applied
Psychophysiology and
Biofeedback. 27 (1):
45–98.
doi:10.1023/A:101457650
5223 . PMID 12001885 .
13. https://www.escardio.org
/Guidelines/Clinical-
Practice-Guidelines/CVD-
Prevention-in-clinical-
practice-European-
Guidelines-on
14. "Autogenic Training: A
Helpful Guide On An
Effective Relaxation
Technique" .
Antimaximalist. Retrieved
30 October 2019.
15. Ikezuki, M; Miyauchi, Y;
Yamaguchi, H; Koshikawa,
F (February 2002). "⾃律訓
練法の臨床効果測定⽤尺
度 (ATCES) の開発
[Development of Autogenic
Training Clinical
Effectiveness Scale
(ATCES)]". ⼼理学研究
(Shinrigaku Kenkyu) (in
Japanese). 72 (6):
475–481.
doi:10.4992/jjpsy.72.475 .
PMID 11977841 .

Further reading
Bird, Jane; Pinch, Christine
(2002). Autogenic therapy:
self-help for mind and body.
Dublin: Newleaf.
ISBN 9780717134229.
Greenberg. Comprehensive
Stress Mgmt 10E . McGraw-
Hill Education (India) Pvt
Limited. pp. 181–.
ISBN 978-0-07-067104-1.
Luthe, Wolfgang; Schultz,
Johannes Heinrich (1969).
Autogenic therapy. New York:
Grune & Stratton.
ISBN 9780808906643.
 OCLC 47990 . Republished in
2001 by The British
Autogenic Society. In six
volumes.
Vol. 1 Autogenic Methods
Vol. 2 Medical Applications
Vol. 3 Applications in
Psychotherapy
Vol. 4 Research and Theory
Vol. 5 Dynamics of Autogenic
Neutralisation
Vol. 6 Treatment with
Autogenic Neutralisation

External links
The British Autogenic
 Society

Retrieved from
"https://en.wikipedia.org
/w/index.php?title=Autogenic_training
&oldid=923759484"

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