[Recent viewpoints in the theory and practice of autogenic training]

The authors give a brief review over papers presented on the "International Symposion on Autogenic Training" in Berlin, March 1988. A study based on empirical data from 48 managers was presented, showing how Autogenic Training (AT) could reduce cardiovascular riskfactors, e.g. cardiac-functions and levels of bloodcholesterol and -triglycerids (Carruthers). Of high actual importance was a report about grouptherapy with AIDS-patients, in which AT played a big role. The quality of life of the patients was improved considerably (Kermani). A multidimensional therapeutic approach combining psychopharmaca, AT and psychoanalytic grouptherapy was presented (Barolin). In the field of psychophysiology there was a report about a thermometric study carried out with a group of psychovegetative impaired patients demonstrating the "vasodilatatory potence" of the AT (Stetter). Müller-Hegemann reported about misunderstandings in teaching AT and made some remarks in the changing of tension and relaxation in human life being influenced by practicing AT and physical training.