The usefulness of breathing and relaxation techniques influencing the autonomic nervous system state in psychiatry. A subjective review of contemporary research. Part 2 - Western tradition.

Abstract

The authors present a subjective review of recent research on the use of selected techniques influencing the state of the autonomic nervous system, based on the Western tradition, i.e. autogenic training by Johannes Heinrich Schultz and progressive muscle relaxation by Edmund Jacobson. The basic assumptions of both methods are discussed, taking into account the modifications that have occurred since their creation, pointing to their consequences and the necessity of taking them into account in research. The importance of including as accurate descriptions of the used interventions as possible in publications was also pointed out. The current subjective review focuses on studies of adults from clinical populations, suffering from mental disorders. Selected studies from the period 2020-2023 (July 30, 2023) and earlier ones, including literature reviews, listed in the PubMed database were included. The most important results and conclusions of the authors of previous research and reviews were discussed, including pointing out the numerous modifications of the discussed techniques, which make it difficult to compare the results, and the need for further, better quality research. The results of this subjective review allow us to agree with previous suggestions of the potential usefulness of autogenic training and progressive muscle relaxation as additional techniques in the treatment of mental health disorders.