IMPROVEMENT OF RESPIRATORY-FUNCTION IN CHRONIC ASTHMATIC-PATIENTS WITH AUTOGENIC THERAPY

Stress, unpleasant emotions and autonomic imbalance may play a main role in precipitating asthmatic attacks. In this study two homogeneous groups of asthmatic patients (N = 24) are treated over an eight-month period. The experimental group was treated with autogenic therapy and the control group with supportive group psychotherapy. Respiratory function parameters measured were Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in the first sec (FEV1), Forced Expiratory Flow between 25% and 75% of the FVC (FEF25-75%), and Mesoexpiratory Flow (MEF50%). The group under Autogenic Therapy obtained a relevant clinical improvement (> 15% of pretreatment values) in respiratory function. No significant changes were observed in the control group. These results suggest that autogenic therapy could be an effective adjunctive treatment in bronchial asthma.