Autogenic Training in Mental Disorders: What Can We Expect?

Autogenic training (AT) is a well-established self-induced relaxation technique based on autosuggestion. From the past two decades, an increasing number of AT studies strongly suggests the practical usefulness of psychophysiological relaxation in the area of medicine. Despite this interest, to date,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2023-02, Vol.20 (5), p.4344
Main Authors: Breznoscakova, Dagmar, Kovanicova, Milana, Sedlakova, Eva, Pallayova, Maria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety - psychology
Autogenic Training
Bipolar disorder
Cardiovascular disease
Central nervous system
Clinical aspects
Exercise
Humans
Literature reviews
Mental disorders
Mental Disorders - prevention & control
Mentally ill
Neurophysiology
Physiological psychology
Post traumatic stress disorder
Psychotherapy
Psychotropic drugs
Regulation
Relaxation
Relaxation Therapy
Respiration
Review
Search strategies
Sleep
Training
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Summary:Autogenic training (AT) is a well-established self-induced relaxation technique based on autosuggestion. From the past two decades, an increasing number of AT studies strongly suggests the practical usefulness of psychophysiological relaxation in the area of medicine. Despite this interest, to date, limited critical clinical reflection on the application and effects of AT in mental disorders exists. The present paper reviews psychophysiological, psychopathological, and clinical aspects of AT in persons with mental disorders with emphasis on implications for future research and practice. Based on a formal literature search, 29 reported studies (7 meta-analyses/systematic reviews) were identified that examined the effects and impact of AT on mental disorders. The main psychophysiological effects of AT include autonomic cardiorespiratory changes paralleled by central nervous system activity modifications and psychological outputs. Studies demonstrate consistent efficacy of AT in reducing anxiety and medium range positive effects for mild-to-moderate depression. The impact on bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, and acute stress disorder remains unexplored. As an add-on intervention psychotherapy technique with beneficial outcome on psychophysiological functioning, AT represents a promising avenue towards expanding research findings of brain-body links beyond the current limits of the prevention and clinical management of number of mental disorders.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph20054344