Recent advance of autogenic training in clinical practice of psychosomatic medicine in Japan

We have focused on several different biological indicators to seek mechanism of autogenic training (AT) and its relationship with self-efficacy. Varieties of physical and psychological phenomena are observed during the process of AT, and these symptoms provide us the important information to understand the mechanism of AT. This study indicates that AT might reduce the patients' anxiety and helps developing the psychotic energy when they need to create self-image and/or self-efficacy. We found out that AT might be effective on the point of “physical change” by improving physiological functions as well as endocrine and immunological functions. The application of AT for children, however, differs from the case for adults. Some problems and questions still remain on the application manners. The idea of AT should be considered differently in the case for children. Group AT was well investigated to see how effectively AT works on the objective observation (mind and body) and helps promoting the eagerness of practicing it through the interaction among the members.We also expect that AT might improve the stress-related psycho-physical condition, therefore a continuous daily application may contribute to the contemporary society in the sense of health promotion as to support people in any stressful situation.