Autogenic training is a self-help method of relaxation. It was invented by Johannes Schultz, a German psychiatrist, in 1932.
Autogenic training is used for stress, fatigue, pain, and many other conditions. However there is not strong evidence to support the use of autogenic training for these conditions.
Is It Effective?
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
- Chest pain (angina). Early research shows that autogenic training might reduce chest pain in women with a specific type of chest pain called cardiac syndrome X.
- Asthma. Early research shows that autogenic training might improve asthma symptoms. It might also reduce the need to use asthma medicines.
- Athletic performance. Early research shows that a training program including autogenic training and imagery training might improve gun-shooting accuracy following intense exercise. But it doesn't seem to prevent injuries in ballet dancers.
- Heart disease. Early research shows that autogenic training might improve heart function in people with heart disease.
- Depression. Early research shows that autogenic training might improve symptoms in people with depression.
- Seizure disorder (epilepsy). Early research shows that autogenic training might reduce seizures in people with epilepsy.
- Fibromyalgia. Early research shows that autogenic training might reduce pain, fatigue, stiffness, and other symptoms in people with fibromyalgia.
- A group of eye disorders that can lead to vision loss (glaucoma). Early research shows that autogenic training might reduce eye pressure in people with glaucoma.
- HIV/AIDS. Early research shows that autogenic training with progressive muscle relaxation might reduce anxiety, fatigue, and depression in people with HIV.
- High blood pressure. Early research shows that autogenic training might reduce blood pressure in some people with high blood pressure.
- Long-term swelling (inflammation) in the digestive tract (inflammatory bowel disease or IBD). Early research shows that autogenic training might improve symptoms in people with IBD.
- Insomnia. Early research shows that autogenic training might improve sleep quality in people with insomnia.
- A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS). Early research shows that autogenic training might improve symptoms in people with IBS.
- Labor pain. Early research shows that autogenic training might improve pain during and after childbirth in pregnant women.
- Migraine. Autogenic training alone or with biofeedback seems to reduce migraines in children and adults.
- A type of anxiety marked by recurrent thoughts and repetitive behaviors (obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD). Early research shows that autogenic training is less effective than conventional drug and behavioral therapy in people with OCD.
- Parkinson disease. Early research in people with Parkinson disease shows that adding autogenic training to physical therapy improves movement compared to physical therapy alone.
- A type of anxiety that often develops after a terrifying event (post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD). Early research shows that autogenic training with other mind-body techniques seems to benefit high school students with PTSD.
- Feelings of well-being. Early research shows that autogenic training improves anxiety and depressive symptoms in women with early-stage breast cancer.
- Painful response to cold especially in the fingers and toes (Raynaud syndrome). Early research shows that autogenic training might improve skin temperature and blood flow in people with Raynaud syndrome.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Early research shows that electroacupuncture is more effective than autogenic training at improving pain in people with RA.
- Increasing response to sexual stimuli in healthy people. Early research shows that autogenic training might improve sexual arousal in healthy young women.
- Stress. There is some early evidence that 8 weeks of autogenic training reduces anxiety and stress in people under stressful conditions. But this evidence is questionable due to its poor quality.
- Stuttering. Early research shows that autogenic training might improve stuttering in some people.
- Tension headache. Early research shows that autogenic training might help reduce headache. But autogenic training doesn't seem to work any better than hypnosis or biofeedback.
- Alcoholism.
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis).
- Fatigue.
- Pain.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of autogenic training for these uses.
Is it Safe?
Autogenic training is a self-help relaxation technique. It is thought that relaxation techniques might help in conditions where mental stress plays a critical role. Also autogenic training seems affect the parts of the brain that are related to pain. This might explain why it is helpful in some pain conditions.
Autogenic training is LIKELY SAFE. There are no known safety concerns. No side effects have been reported in clinical studies.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of autogenic training during pregnancy and breast-feeding. However, there is no known reason to suspect it might be harmful.
Children: Autogenic training is POSSIBLY SAFE in children. No side effects have been reported in clinical studies.
It is not known if this treatment interacts with any medicines. Before using this treatment, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
Autogenic training usually takes place in groups over 8 weeks. Then, individuals usually practice at home up to 3 times each day. Autogenic training consists of six exercises. Each exercise focuses on different aspects of relaxation. Relaxation is achieved by repeating specific statements focused on a specific area. The first exercise focuses on muscular relaxation. The next steps focus on feelings of warmth, slowing or calming heart activity, slowing breathing, warmth in the abdomen, and finally, cooling in the head. It is thought that this and other relaxation techniques might be helpful for conditions where mental stress plays a critical role.
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