Effect of Autogenic Training on General Improvement in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Autogenic training (AT) is a useful and comprehensive relaxation technique. However, no studies have investigated the effects of AT on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this study we tested the hypothesis that AT improves symptoms of IBS. Twenty-one patients with IBS were randomly assigned to AT (n = 11, 5 male, 6 female) or control therapy (n = 10, 5 male, 5 female). AT patients were trained intensively, while the control therapy consisted of discussions about patients' meal habits and life styles. All patients answered a question related to adequate relief (AR) of IBS symptoms and four questionnaires: Self-induced IBS Questionnaire (SIBSQ), Self-reported Depression Scale (SDS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Medical Outcome Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). The proportion of AR in the last AT session in the AT group (9/11, 81.8%) was significantly higher than that in the controls (3/10, 30.0%, Chi-square test, p = 0.048). Two subscales of the SF-36, i.e., social functioning and bodily pain, were significantly improved in the AT group (p < 0.05) as compared to the control group. Role emotional (p = 0.051) and general health (p = 0.068) showed a tendency for improvement in the AT group. AT may be useful in the treatment of IBS by enhancing self-control.

The relationship between salivary amylase and the physical and psychological changes elicited by continuation of autogenic training in patients with functional somatic syndrome

“…A meta-analysis by Stetter and Kupper [23] also showed that AT was effective in addressing somatic symptoms. Moreover, several studies have reported that AT is effective in treating patients with specific diseases within the spectrum of FSS, such as IBS [24] and tension headache [26, 27]. The results of the present study do not contradict these findings.…”

“…Several studies have investigated the influence of AT on different types of FSS, such as IBS [24], FMS [25], and tension headache [26, 27]. In these studies, AT elicited changes in physical and psychological measurements such as the patients’ physical symptoms and quality of life.…”

Short-term and Long-term Efficacy of Psychological Therapies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Three trials provided effect sizes indicating greater improvement in the control group. 56,57,59 In 2 of these trials, the treatment group improved more than the control group on a dichotomous outcome measure identified by the authors as the primary outcome. 57,59 The remaining trial 56 used walking as a comparison condition, which could arguably be conceptualized as an active treatment rather than a control condition.…”

A neurological approach to biopsychosocial medicine: Lessons from irritable bowel syndrome

“…Autogenic training is auto-hypnosis with the goal of being able to self-administer suggestions of relaxation. We reported that autogenic training is effective for intractable IBS patients [16]. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on ways to increase or decrease a particular behavior that addresses automatic thoughts and irrational beliefs.…”