Visceral responses to opposite types of autogenic-training imagery

The purpose of this experiment was to test whether suggestions of imagery of the type used in autogenic training have specific effects on autonomic responses. In order to control for the effort involved in imagery and to determine the specificity of the effect, opposite types of imagery were used: (a) hands warm and heavy, and (b) hands cool and light. Nine subjects were trained for six daily sessions. Within each day 16 stimulus presentations were made, equally balanced between the two types of imagery. Heart rate, respiration rate, and EEG in the alpha frequency were recorded throughout all sessions. The 'cool' instruction reliably increased heart rate and respiration above pre-stimulus baselines; the 'warm' instruction resulted in statistically insignificant changes in the opposite direction. Large, consistent individual differences in autonomic response were found.