What is the scientific evidence for Autogenic Training
(AT)?
Since its development in the 1920’S by Dr Johannes Schultz,
a German psychiatrist and neurologist, there have been hundreds
of published scientific studies documenting the medical and psychological
benefits of AT as a non-drug approach to treatment of stress-related conditions. These are
some recent studies:
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Research in the American
Heart Journal, 2004 found AT useful in reducing anxiety
in patients who had recently undergone coronary angioplasty. |
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An analysis of 60 clinical outcome studies in Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 2002 found that AT produces positive effects for tension headache/ migraine, hypertension, coronary heart disease, asthma bronchiale, anxiety disorders, mild to moderate depression, functional sleep disorders and other conditions. |
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A study in the European Journal
of Oncology Nursing, 2004 found that women with breast
cancer who practised AT showed significant improvements
in immune function, reduced anxiety and improved quality
of sleep. |
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A study published in Stress Medicine,
2000 showed that AT reduced anxiety and brought about positive
personality changes. |
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A review of many clinical outcome
studies in Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 1994 concludes
that AT produces positive effects for many psychological
and psychosomatic disorders. |
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A research review published in
Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 1999 reported that more
than 60 controlled clinical studies of AT gave evidence
of positive effects in cases of hypertension, asthma, headaches,
IBS, dermatitis and frontal lobe epilepsy. People with
anxiety, sleep disorders and mild to moderate depression
also benefited. |
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