Zum Einflu� der Hypnose und des Autogenen Trainings auf die akrale Durchblutung und die Krankheitsverarbeitung bei Patienten mit progressiver Sklerodermie (PS)

Abstract

In 12 patients with systemic sclerosis the influence of hypnosis and autogenic training on the acral blood circulation and the coping with the disease was investigated in a pilot study. In the first step significant increases in the skin temperature of the finger (mean +/- SD: 3.9 +/- 1.2 degrees C) could be found after relaxation hypnosis. In the second step six patients (study group) gained experience with autogenic training. The other six patients served as control group. In the study group, the skin temperature of the fingers (short-term effect) was significantly higher than in the control group (1.9 +/- 1.0 degrees C). Long-term effects of the autogenic training (mean acral rewarning time, duration and course of the Raynaud attacks, acral lesions of the hands, psychosomatic status of complaints, type of relation to the disease as precondition for coping with the disease) were not found within the relatively short follow-up period of 4 months. Two patients, however, reported that they could shorten the duration of Raynaud attacks by autogenic training. In our patients heterogenicity and an increased score of multiple psychosomatic complaints were registered at the outset. As far as the type of relation to the disease is concerned, the patients could be assessed as almost adapted. Hypnosis and autogenic training can be recommended as complementary therapy in systemic sclerosis.

Biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral methods, and hypnosis in dermatology: Is it all in your mind?

“…Systemic sclerosis patients with Raynaud's disease have been able to increase finger skin temperature by an average of about 4°C using either hypnosis or autogenic training (3). Two of six patients using autogenic training in addition to biofeedback reported that they could shorten the duration of Raynaud attacks by autogenic training.…”