Autogenic training

Related Terms

AT, autogenic training, BFRT, biofeedback, biofeedback-assisted relaxation therapy, body awareness, deep relaxation, Dr. Johannes Schultz, Dr. Wolfgang Luthe, hypnoid relaxation, passive concentration, Prof. Oskar Vogt, respiratory autogenic training, self-hypnosis.

Background

Autogenic therapy (AT) is an approach that encompasses both mind and body and teaches skills for self-healing and self-development.
Autogenic therapy (AT) uses visual imagery and body awareness to promote a state of deep relaxation. A detached but alert state of mind called "passive concentration" must be achieved for autogenic therapy exercises to be carried out. People participating in autogenic therapy are taught relaxation and body awareness techniques. It is believed that these approaches can then be used indefinitely to promote a healthier lifestyle, allowing people to call on their own capacity for self-healing and stress reduction.
Autogenic therapy was developed in the 1930s by the psychiatrist and neurologist Dr. Johannes Schultz. Dr. Schultz had been influenced by the research of Prof. Oskar Vogt, who had studied psychosomatic medicine. In the 1940s, Dr. Wolfgang Luthe modified the autogenic technique by the addition of repetitive therapeutic suggestions.
Good scientific evidence supports the use of autogenic therapy for the treatment of anxiety. Benefits have been reported in the treatment of headache, asthma, heart disease, and insomnia. However, strong evidence supporting the use of autogenic therapy to treat any condition in humans is lacking.

Theory

Autogenic therapy (AT) encompasses both mind and body and aims to teach skills for self-healing and self-development. It is unclear exactly how autogenic therapy may affect the body. It has been suggested, but not proven, that it may work in a manner similar to biofeedback, meditation, or hypnosis.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Limited research suggests that autogenic therapy may aid in the treatment of anxiety. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made

 B


Limited research suggests that autogenic therapy may aid in the treatment of anxiety. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made

 B


Autogenic therapy may help alcoholism. However, more research is needed.

 C


Autogenic therapy may help alcoholism. However, more research is needed.

 C


Autogenic therapy may help improve performance in professional athletes. However, more research is needed.

 C


Autogenic therapy may help improve performance in professional athletes. However, more research is needed.

 C


Early research suggests that autogenic therapy may aid in the treatment of hyperventilation. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Early research suggests that autogenic therapy may aid in the treatment of hyperventilation. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Preliminary evidence suggests that autogenic therapy may be beneficial for treatment of bronchial asthma. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Preliminary evidence suggests that autogenic therapy may be beneficial for treatment of bronchial asthma. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


It is unclear if autogenic therapy may be beneficial in the treatment of heart or blood vessel disorders, such as palpitations, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, or cold hands or feet. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


It is unclear if autogenic therapy may be beneficial in the treatment of heart or blood vessel disorders, such as palpitations, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, or cold hands or feet. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Autogenic therapy may help improve symptoms of depression in patients with cancer. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Autogenic therapy may help improve symptoms of depression in patients with cancer. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Sufficient scientific evidence to support the use of autogenic therapy to treat eczema is lacking. Further research is needed in this area.

 C


Sufficient scientific evidence to support the use of autogenic therapy to treat eczema is lacking. Further research is needed in this area.

 C


Sufficient scientific evidence to support the use of autogenic therapy to treat epilepsy is lacking. Further research is needed in this area.

 C


Sufficient scientific evidence to support the use of autogenic therapy to treat epilepsy is lacking. Further research is needed in this area.

 C


Limited research suggests that autogenic therapy may aid in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that autogenic therapy may aid in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that autogenic therapy may be beneficial for gastrointestinal conditions. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Early research suggests that autogenic therapy may be beneficial for gastrointestinal conditions. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Limited research suggests that autogenic therapy may aid in the treatment of glaucoma. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that autogenic therapy may aid in the treatment of glaucoma. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early evidence suggests that autogenic therapy may help alleviate headaches. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Early evidence suggests that autogenic therapy may help alleviate headaches. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Study suggests that autogenic therapy may be beneficial for HIV/AIDS. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Study suggests that autogenic therapy may be beneficial for HIV/AIDS. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that autogenic therapy may aid in the treatment of infertility. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that autogenic therapy may aid in the treatment of infertility. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Improvement in insomnia in cancer patients has been reported with autogenic therapy. Additional clinical research is required before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Improvement in insomnia in cancer patients has been reported with autogenic therapy. Additional clinical research is required before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited evidence suggests that autogenic therapy may decrease labor pain. Additional research is required before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited evidence suggests that autogenic therapy may decrease labor pain. Additional research is required before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Early evidence suggests that autogenic therapy may increase energy and vigor and decrease physical and emotional problems in patients with multiple sclerosis. Although these results are promising, more research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Early evidence suggests that autogenic therapy may increase energy and vigor and decrease physical and emotional problems in patients with multiple sclerosis. Although these results are promising, more research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Behavioral therapy is often used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In human research, autogenic therapy has been used as a placebo treatment for comparison to the effects of behavioral therapy.

 C


Behavioral therapy is often used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In human research, autogenic therapy has been used as a placebo treatment for comparison to the effects of behavioral therapy.

 C


Early research suggests that autogenic therapy may improve symptoms of pain in limbs that have been amputated. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Early research suggests that autogenic therapy may improve symptoms of pain in limbs that have been amputated. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Study suggests that autogenic therapy, in combination with other therapies, may aid in the treatment of PTSD. Further research on the effect of autogenic therapy alone is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Study suggests that autogenic therapy, in combination with other therapies, may aid in the treatment of PTSD. Further research on the effect of autogenic therapy alone is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that autogenic therapy may reduce stress and psychosomatic complaints in children and adolescents. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that autogenic therapy may reduce stress and psychosomatic complaints in children and adolescents. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that autogenic therapy may be useful in Raynaud's disease. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that autogenic therapy may be useful in Raynaud's disease. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that autogenic therapy may reduce injuries in ballet dancers when used together with other coping skills, but not when used alone. Further research is needed in this area.

 C


Early research suggests that autogenic therapy may reduce injuries in ballet dancers when used together with other coping skills, but not when used alone. Further research is needed in this area.

 C


Early research suggests that autogenic therapy may be effective for stuttering. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that autogenic therapy may be effective for stuttering. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Limited evidence suggests that biofeedback-assisted relaxation, which involves aspects of autogenic therapy, may help manage the most common form of fainting. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Limited evidence suggests that biofeedback-assisted relaxation, which involves aspects of autogenic therapy, may help manage the most common form of fainting. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Autogenic therapy may be beneficial for thyroid disease. However, well-designed human research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Autogenic therapy may be beneficial for thyroid disease. However, well-designed human research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Safety

Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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