AUTOGENIC TRAINING PRIOR AND IN ADDITION TO INTEGRATIVE INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR DEPRESSIVE-DISORDERS

Presented are emprical results on the effectiveness of autogenic train ing applied before and in addition to integrative psychotherapy of dep ressive disorders. First, autogenic training was applied in depressive outpatients with versus without pre-experiences in autogenic training alternative to a waiting-list control group without any treatment and to a group under integrative psychotherapy (cognitive therapy and cli ent-centered therapy). 55 patients were randomized to these three cond itions. Further on, after a first posttest (after 10 weeks) the effect iveness of psychotherapy was compared to psychotherapy in combination with autogenic training (second posttest after 10 weeks more). Pretest -posttest comparisons as well as process evaluations refer to success in learning autogenic training as well as to changes in depressive sym ptoms (BDI, H Scale, ICD-10), generalized control beliefs, self-effica cy, and complaints of the patients. Follow-ups were done 8 months afte r second posttests. The results show that a controlled and supervised application of autogenic training before as well as in addition to psy chotherapy has positive effects. Differential indications of autogenic trainings refer to patients' pre-experiences with relaxation techniqu es and to specific somatic symptoms of depressive disorders. but not t o age, gender and drug medication of patients. The indications and rel ative contraindications of autogenic training in depressive patients a re described.