Autogenes Training - Qualitative Meta-Analyse kontrollierter klinischer Studien und Beziehungen zur Naturheilkunde.

Autogenic Training - Qualitative Meta-Analysis of Controlled Clinical Studies and Relation to NaturopathyAutogenic training is a relaxation technique based on autosuggestions and practice in the perception of 'natural' relaxating processes of the body with an increasing calm basic attitude. The psycho-physiological changes that occur after periodical exercises can be explained by a plausible model which has been empirically proved in many of its aspects. With regard to methodological aspects the present study deals with the qualitative meta-analysis of 64 controlled clinical studies from 1952 to 1997. The clinical effect of autogenic training on the main symptoms as exclusive or at least central psychotherapeutic intervention (partly in combination with a somatic basic therapy) was evaluated. It was proved that autogenic training has positive effects on psychosomatic disorders (hypertension, asthma, intestinal diseases, 'vegetative dystonia', glaucoma, atopic eczema), on preparation for childbirth, sleep disorders and anxiety disorders. A positive effect can also be expected in case of headaches and Raynaud's disease, however, other relaxation techniques seem to be superior in these cases. Moreover, positive effects on the mood (e. g. depressive symptoms) and the general subjective condition (e. g. 'quality of life') have been proved by many studies. Hence indications can be derived according to the basic rules of evidence-based medicine. Nevertheless there are contraindications, for instance regarding exogenous, acute schizophrenic or affective psychosis. Beyond that the preparedness to therapy of many patients can be improved if the therapeutic offers are enlarged by autogenic training as a 'low level' offer. Autogenic training is an effective and useful component of preventive, rehabilitative or therapeutic interventions and can last but not least be part of therapeutic interventions which include naturopathy.

[Current status so far: psychotherapy in transition!]. / Soweit der Stand der Dinge: Psychotherapie im Wandel!

In the context of the current discussion of the volume by Grawe, Donati and Bernauer "Psychotherapie im Wandel; Von der Konfession zur Profession" (1994) the main critical points are reviewed regarding essential-theoretical issues. The crucial points of the resulting criticism refer to the fact that metastudies are historical and culture bound, to etiological validity as well as to ethical-political implications. One main statement designates the investigation by Grawe et al. as a conventional review that bases its conclusions on outcome-studies of psychotherapy that are to be considered outdated. Whether it is possible to decide which therapy is most effective is as doubtful as the necessity to contrast therapeutic orientations by discriminating valuation. The results of Grawe's therapy-outcome-analysis are put into a historical and cultural context. Thereby the findings are put into relation to particular periods and speech areas from which the included studies originate. In this context Grawe's volume appears not to be the Ultima ratio but is fruitful to initiate further research.

Alcohol consumption and visual contrast sensitivity.

Visual contrast sensitivity (VCS) was measured in 30 alcoholic patients and 52 controls. The results showed a significant reduction in VCS for all the spatial frequencies. The mean reduction for all spatial frequencies was 2.49 dB below the level of the control group. Optimal sensitivity corresponded to a lower spatial frequency in patients than controls, i.e. 1 cycle/degree (c/d) versus 2 c/d. Curves for VCS were normal for five patients. Abnormalities in VCS were suggestive of optic nerve dysfunction for 15 patients (50%), which were probable in seven cases (23%) and possible in eight others (27%). For 10 subjects, the abnormalities were indicative of ametropia. Daily alcohol intake and daily tobacco consumption were not significantly different in the patients who displayed VCS abnormalities, reflecting alcohol-tobacco amblyopia, from those who did not. The presence of higher gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and mean corpuscular volume levels in patients who had VCS abnormalities indicative of alcohol-tobacco amblyopia suggests that alcohol consumption is involved in the development of these abnormalities.

Cell-cycle-related metabolic and enzymatic events in proliferating rat thymocytes.

Cell-cycle progression of rat thymocytes stimulated with concanavalin A and interleukin 2 was monitored at 12-h intervals by pulse labeling aliquots of the cell culture with [3H]thymidine, by measuring cellular DNA and protein content and by counting the number of cells in the cultures. The cell cycle was completed after 96 h of culture with the S phase peaking at 48 h. Early events in thymocyte activation were enhanced phosphatidylinositol turnover and the induction of ornithine decarboxylase. Concomitant changes were observed in the rates of DNA synthesis and glycolysis accompanied by a 20-fold increase in glucose uptake 48 h after stimulation. However, the maximal increment in the glycolytic rate preceded that of DNA synthesis by 12 h. Apart from the quantitative changes which occurred during the cell-cycle progression, there was also a change from partial aerobic glucose degradation to CO2 (26%) to almost complete anaerobic conversion of glucose to lactate (85%) and less than 3% to CO2. Glycolytic enzyme levels increased fourfold to tenfold and reached their maxima 48 h after mitogenic stimulation. Maximal increments of glycolytic enzyme activities preceded or coincided with the maximal increments of the glycolytic rate. Actinomycin D (1.5 ng/ml) completely inhibited DNA and RNA synthesis but did not show any inhibitory effect either on glycolytic enzyme induction or on enhanced glycolysis. During mitosis and return of the cells to the non-proliferative state, all of the enhanced metabolic rates returned to their initial levels and the elevated enzyme activities were decreased also. The marked changes of metabolic rates and enzyme activities observed at the various phases of the cell cycle suggest that these biochemical events may also serve as suitable parameters for evaluating the response of lymphocytes towards mitogens and lymphokines.