Autogenic Training Patient Audit
Dr. Ann Bowden undertook an audit in 1992 of patients who had attended an Autogenic Training at the Royal London
Homoeopathic Hospital. The results were both positive and interesting, and are summarised below.
Overall improvement
|
SYMPTOMS / DISEASE |
| |
TOTAL |
| |
IMPROVEMENT |
| |
SAME |
| |
WORSE |
| Stress/tension/anxiety |
| |
68 |
| |
60 |
| |
8 |
| |
0 |
| Panic attacks |
| |
4 |
| |
4 |
| |
0 |
| |
0 |
| Insomnia |
| |
13 |
| |
12 |
| |
1 |
| |
0 |
| Fatigue |
| |
10 |
| |
8 |
| |
2 |
| |
0 |
| Acute anxiety/shock |
| |
2 |
| |
2 |
| |
0 |
| |
0 |
| Pre-menstrual tension |
| |
3 |
| |
2 |
| |
1 |
| |
0 |
| Cancer |
| |
3 |
| |
2 |
| |
1 |
| |
0 |
| M.E. |
| |
4 |
| |
2 |
| |
2 |
| |
0 |
| Parkinsons |
| |
4 |
| |
2 |
| |
2 |
| |
0 |
| Palpitations |
| |
8 |
| |
7 |
| |
0 |
| |
1 |
| Hypertension |
| |
7 |
| |
3 |
| |
4 |
| |
0 |
| Depression |
| |
17 |
| |
10 |
| |
7 |
| |
0 |
| Colitis |
| |
2 |
| |
1 |
| |
1 |
| |
0 |
| Headaches |
| |
12 |
| |
4 |
| |
8 |
| |
0 |
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome |
| |
9 |
| |
6 |
| |
2 |
| |
1 |
| Injury |
| |
1 |
| |
1 |
| |
0 |
| |
0 |
| Pain |
| |
10 |
| |
5 |
| |
4 |
| |
1 |
| Multiple sclerosis |
| |
1 |
| |
1 |
| |
0 |
| |
0 |
| Asthma |
| |
4 |
| |
3 |
| |
1 |
| |
0 |
| Dyspepsia |
| |
4 |
| |
3 |
| |
1 |
| |
0 |
| Arthritis |
| |
5 |
| |
2 |
| |
3 |
| |
0 |
| Cystitis |
| |
1 |
| |
1 |
| |
0 |
| |
0 |
| Eczema |
| |
4 |
| |
3 |
| |
1 |
| |
0 |
What did you find most beneficial?
- Control of Symptoms
- Relaxation
- Confidence in dealing with your problems
- Group support
Many patients ticked the following four in order of preference - the rest
ticked one or two.
| Control of Symptoms |
| |
32 |
| Relaxation |
| |
100 |
| Confidence in dealing with your problems |
| |
49 |
| Group support |
| |
41 |
Control of Symptoms: (32)
AT is not promoted as a "treatment". It is hoped that by using AT
regularly symptoms will improve. Symptoms produced by anxiety such as insomnia and
palpitations are most likely to respond directly to relaxation.
Relaxation: (100)
As would be expected the majority of patients felt the benefit of being able to "relax" at
will - many experiencing it for the first time. The exercises allow them to build up their
own concept and experience of what the bodily sensations and feelings are that make up the
state of "relaxation" for them. "All their own work" - it does not belong to anyone else -
they have produced the experience and can continue to do this whenever they want to - it
often "does itself" (autogenic).
Confidence in dealing with your problems: (49)
Many of the problems/symptoms which the patients brought to their training were long lasting
and they were "stuck". As yet no solution - medical or otherwise - had been found. For some,
AT produces the first small step of change.).
A sense of renewed potency could start and the patients were able to
take back responsibility for themselves and their symptoms and felt that they could help
themselves.
Group support: (41)
Some patients embarked on the course at a time of acute stress or bereavement and the
weekly session was a place of nourishment and safety - often patients staying on at the
close, and having further discussion amongst themselves.
Many people feel isolated with their symptoms, but during group
discussions would find, to their surprise, that other members of the group have had
similar experiences
Did you notice any other changes in yourself after completing
the course?
16 replied "none".
117 gave interesting and varied replies
Coping better
Able to relax
More positive
More in control of self
More assertive
Emotionally stronger
More confident
Calmer
Don't worry so much
Recognising my needs
Looking at life differently
Able to communicate better
Able to express my feelings
Able to speak my mind
Living in the present, not dreaing the future
Stopped thinking everything is my fault
Better concentration
Recognising when to "switch off"
Helps me to sleep
Come to terms with my problem
More energy
Accepting myself as I am
Recognising symptoms of stress early
Less irritable
AT helped me through a serious operation
Have you made any changes in your life or habits?
Many trainees were experiencing major and minor changes in their
lives - not the least of which was doing the course. AT undoubtedly strengthens the capacity
for change by tapping into inner resources which, because they are not always needed,
people are afraid they do not possess.
Doing AT regularly (a very important change)
Getting out more
Not striving so much
Changed job (quite a lot of patients)
Started a new course
Early retirement
Taking time for self (very important
Taking less pain killers (cost effective)
Going to doctor less
Increased interests and activities
Changes in relationships
Doing AT led on to interest in other therapies (Alexander; Group; Massage; Aromatherapy)
"Stress does not flow over me so much now - just a
drop, not a deluge".
"I have stopped getting ill at periods of great stress."
