In a world full of stimuli, pressure to perform, and constant demands, our nervous system is under continuous strain. School, work, and everyday life require high levels of concentration, emotional stability, and physical resilience – often all at once.
Our body reacts with chronic stress: the so-called sympathetic nervous system (part of the autonomic nervous system) is activated to mobilize resources – heart rate, muscle tension, and alertness increase. As a counterbalance, the brain tries to regulate via the vagus nerve (part of the parasympathetic system) – the system should calm down again.
If this finely tuned interaction gets out of balance, it can lead to concentration difficulties, exhaustion, inner restlessness, or learning and behavioral disorders.
To stimulate the nervous system – against stress and sensory overload
Audiovisual Perception Training (AVWF® for short) supports children, adolescents, and adults in enhancing learning and cognitive abilities, motor skills, as well as mental and physical performance.
The AVWF therapy is based on stimulating the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Through the muscles of the inner ear, the 10th cranial nerve (vagus nerve) is stimulated, thereby activating both the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts of the autonomic nervous system.
The treatment is carried out for 2 x 5 days, with one session per day lasting one hour.
Stimulation of the autonomic nervous system increases the brain's processing speed of information. Thinking becomes faster, and the cooperation between the two hemispheres of the brain improves significantly. This leads to better perception and processing, improved stress resilience, enhanced information processing, stress reduction, and relaxation.
How does AVWF therapy work?
AVWF training is based on the targeted stimulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) – specifically the 10th cranial nerve, the vagus nerve. Through special, sound-modulated tones, gentle activation of this nerve is triggered via the muscles of the inner ear. Both ascending (afferent) and descending (efferent) nerve pathways are stimulated.
This rhythmic activation creates feedback loops within the autonomic nervous system – enhancing regulation, sensory processing, and the balance between tension and relaxation.
The body and brain re-learn when performance is needed and when recovery is appropriate.
The Effects:
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Improved concentration & perception
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Better information processing
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More successful learning behavior
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Stress reduction & relaxation
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Enhanced emotional stability
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More energy for school, work, daily life & sports
Measurable Effects on the Brain
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), it has been proven that sound-modulated music – as used in AVWF – triggers specific neural responses in the brain.A study from Salzburg showed significant changes in three key brain areas among participants:
Auditory Cortex:
Significantly increased activity when listening to sound-modulated music – the brain responds more intensely to acoustic stimuli.
Thalamus:
Increased activation was also observed in the thalamus, the central relay station for sensory impressions – particularly in areas related to auditory processing.
Motor and Premotor Cortex:
Reduced activity was measured here, indicating a calming and relaxing effect.
These results suggest that sound-modulated music not only enhances perception but also contributes to motor relaxation.This approach could be particularly supportive in parenting and therapy for restless or hyperactive children – and may even help reduce the need for medication.
Course of Therapy
For a period of 2x five-day sessions, one hour per day is spent listening to sound-modulated tones through headphones. During this time, patients can read, draw, play games, or even simply sleep. The effect is definitely present. Even after the 10-day program has ended, the performance of the stimulated brain continues to improve over the course of weeks and months.
In addition, I support the autonomic nervous system with appropriate neurological stimulation using scientific visual training and color light therapy, at the right time and in the right place.
The therapy aims to achieve a noticeable improvement in the perception of visual and auditory information through the combination of all stimuli. Many clients report positive changes in their ability to perceive.
Neuro-Sensory Therapist
For over 20 years, I have combined my expertise in visual therapy with auditory stimulation. Since then, more than 5,000 children and adults have benefited from this unique combination — achieving remarkable success in school, work, leisure, and sports.
As an experienced functional optometrist and pioneer of the AVWF® method in Switzerland, I have guided people of all ages on their journey toward improved perception and quality of life.
If you're interested, please email me for an initial consultation. Sometimes I can tell you during our phone call whether therapy would be suitable for your son or daughter. Sometimes I need to perform a preliminary examination to determine the correct diagnosis.
Contact me via Email or phone +41 43 322 22 00 and schedule a personal phone consultation. I look forward to hearing from you!
Science & Media
The Development of AVWF – Well-Founded, Tested, and Scientifically Supported
Ulrich Conrady has developed Audiovisual Perception Training (AVWF) over many years, based on scientific findings and practical experience. From the very beginning, the method has been accompanied by biologists, neuroscientists, and psychologists — through studies, tests, and continuous refinement.
The articles are available in German only.
