Yujiro Ikemi

Asthma: the yoga perspective. Part II: Yoga therapy in the treatment of asthma.

The integral yoga approach to asthma (and other psychosomatic disorders) is briefly outlined as meeting all of the requirements for an optimal, holistic, somatopsychic therapy (as outlined in Part I), including correction of distorted posture and faulty breathing habits, teaching a system of general muscle relaxation, techniques for the release of suppressed emotion and for reducing anxiety and self-conscious awareness, as well as special methods for the expectoration of mucus. Yoga practices are described in detail and the available psychophysiological research on yoga practice, as well as clinical-therapeutic studies on yoga as asthmatic therapy, are reviewed. It can therefore be concluded that yoga therapy is most effective with asthma.

Psychosomatic aspects of skin diseases from the standpoint of immunology.

The psychosomatic aspects of skin disease were studied both clinically and experimentally, from the standpoint of immunology. We found that emotional stress has a great influence on the immune system, as was manifested in skin disease. Skin test in allergic patients significantly improved with autogenic training and relaxation. For clarification of the effects of autogenic training and relaxation, various parameters were simultaneously assessed during the treatment. The serum levels of histamine and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase fluctuated, as determined by the microvibration test. The levels of IgE and findings on the PK test varied only slightly. Before the onset of urticaria, there were changes in the life-style and considerable stress in daily life as well as exposure to an allergen. Using mice subjected to stress, the functions of T cells and macrophages were evaluated. Stress appeared to have a definite influence on the functions of these cells, as related to the important role of the immune system and skin. Thus, the role of stress in clinical disease must always be given consideration.

Modification of skin temperature by biofeedback procedures

Abstract The modification of finger skin temperature by biofeedback procedures was studied. Forty subjects were divided into four groups of 10: (1) temperature increase group, (2) temperature decrease group, (3) control group A—subjects instructed to be seated without receiving feedback, and (4) control group B—subjects given false feedback. The subjects were not informed of the aim of the experiment, but told to keep the red light (indicating rise of temperature) or the green light (fall of temperature) on as long as possible. Our results suggest that it is possible to have voluntary control of finger skin temperature by biofeedback procedures.

Alexithymic feature in digestive diseases.

A comparative study was conducted on the psychological features of chronic pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis and the irritable colon syndrome by means of psychological tests and interviews. The patients with irritable colon syndrome were found to be the most neurotic of all, whereas those with the definite type of chronic pancreatitis and ulcerative colitis presented prominent alexithymic characteristics. About one half of the patients having peptic ulcer showed alexithymic features. Despite their neurotic tendencies shown on the psychological tests, the patients with the suspicious type of chronic pancreatitis were socially better adjusted than those with irritable colon syndrome. It was also noted that the concept of alexithymia needs to be elucidated by including such factors as over-adaptation to the environment, certain distorted life habits and lack of bodily sensations.

Some Psychosomatic Disorders in Japan in a Cultural Perspective

Social scientists point to Japanese Society as having a high level of group cohesiveness that results from the psychodynamic need to mutual dependency in the Japanese personality structure, which is f

A Comparative Study on Somatic Treatment and Comprehensive Treatment of Bronchial Asthma

Asthmatic patients who were treated at our hospital for at least 3 months and for whom a follow-up was conducted were divided into 2 groups according to their attitudes toward psychotherapy: Group I who accepted psychotherapy and Group II who did not accept it as part of our comprehensive approach. We examined the differences in therapeutic results in these two groups obtaining the following information: (1) No significant differences was found between Groups I and II as to the onset age, family history, type, severity, laboratory findings, etc. (2) In Group I, no significant difference was found in therapeutic results as to the onset age, type of asthma, its severity, etc. (3) In Group II, a significant difference was observed in the therapeutic results as to the onset age, type of asthma and its severity. These findings were almost identical to the literature of the internal medicine field. (4) The difference in therapeutic results of Groups I and II was assumed to be related to the use of psychotherapy when psychological factors were present. (5) Although psychotherapy was shown to be effective in the treatment of bronchial asthma, we need to be aware that there is often initial resistance to the process and a tendency for patients to terminate prematurely.

Plasminic Activity and Emotional Stress

Hereditary angioneurotic edema (HANE) is clearer in the etiology than the other types of angioneurotic edema. It shows abnormal serum complemental activity and various clinical signs. It has been repo

A new model of integrating occidental and oriental approaches

In the Western countries, dynamically oriented psychoanalysis, behaviour modification based on learning principles and existential, humanistic psychology have been widely used as treatment modalities for neuroses and psychosomatic disorders. Autogenic therapy for relaxation and self-control has been utilized. In the Orient, Yoga, Zen, Acupuncture and Fasting Therapy have been applied to various neuroses and psychosomatic conditions. These unique Oriental approaches, in general, induce an altered state of consciousness in the subjects, and the characterized by the heightening of self-normalization and the restoration of homeostasis. Morita therapy aims at accepting reality as it is and at promoting constructive ego function, and is effective for suitable cases. The above-mentioned Western approaches, which are rather psychosomatic, and the Oriental approaches, which are rather somatopsychic, are considered to be complementary within the framework of a holistic and integrative therapeutic model.

Integration of occidental and oriental psychosomatic treatments.

The Oriental approach to life can contribute to the development of psychosomatic medicine in three major ways, revolving around its realization of the illusion of mind-body dualism, its development of practical somatopsychic techniques for learning self-control, and its orientation towards realizing our true nature. In our department we are currently exploring the use of both standard psychosomatic as well as a variety of somatopsychic techniques, with the ultimate goal of providing a meaningful integration of these approaches. While working to realize the integration of these varied approaches, we feel we are discovering some important clinical principles.

Self-control over stress

Abstract In keeping with the main theme of this Congress—Life Stress, Social Stress and Disease— I wish to discuss the significance of holistic or psychosomatic self-control in the prevention and treatment of disease, the need of which has become evident through our clinical experiences and studies. This discussion will be preceded by some clinical observations of asthma, which, in particular, highlight its bio-psychosocial nature and serve as an example par excellence of the significance of holistic approaches.