A Longitudinal Study of Some Physiological Parameters and Autogenic Training

• Published in: Psychotherapy and psychosomatics 1976, Vol.27 (1), p.8-17
• Main Authors: Tebēcis, A.K., Ohno, Y., Matsubara, H., Sugano, H., Takeya, T., Ikemi, Y., Takasaki, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Autogenic Training; Blood Circulation; Cerebral Cortex - physiology; Electroencephalography; Female; Fingers - blood supply; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Respiration; Skin Temperature
• ISSN: 0033-3190; 1423-0348
• DOI: 10.1159/000286991

Physiological parameters were studied over 4.5 months in normal high-school girls. One group frequently practised autogenic training (AT) whereas the other (control) did not. After 4.5 months the physiology of the AT, but not the control group had changed to some extent. The mean increase in finger skin temperature in the final session was significantly greater in the AT group than in the control group, especially in subjects who experienced hand warmth during AT. No significant differences between groups were apparent for finger blood flow, but within the AT group the girls who experienced hand warmth showed a significantly greater blood flow than those who did not experience hand warmth. The electroencephalogram (EEG) of the AT group showed significantly more 'slow' (δ and θ) and less fast (α and β) activity than at the beginning of the project. Microvibration (MV) of the thumb did not differ significantly in any comparisons. Both in the AT and control group means there were no significant differences between the periods before, during and after AT although significant changes did occur in some individuals of the AT group in the final session. In particular, in 3 of 14 AT subjects respiration rate decreased markedly even though weekly training had not included any breathing exercises. The results suggest that the effects of AT are predominantly long-term, resulting in gradual physiological changes that are maintained to some extent between practice periods.