[Experimental examination on the development of altered states of consciousness by autogenic training in comparison to sensory deprivation].

In a sample of 32 trainees of autogenic training the alterations of the state of consciousness during the exercises were recorded by means of a questionnaire (APZ). To check the influence of acoustic stimulation the subjects were exposed to various sounds by headphone. The data were compared with the results of an experiment with sensory deprivation. A significant correspondence was found between the altered states of consciousness through sensory deprivation and autogenic training under usual low stimulus condition. According to these results autogenic training can be understood as a technique of self-induced sensory deprivation.