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Spooner R, Bird JM, Irigoras Izagirre N, Clemente R, Fernandez Fueyo E, Budworth G, Cocirla D, Todd J, Aspell J, Leganes M, Watling D, Plans D, Brewer R, Murphy J. Exploring sex differences in cardiac interoceptive accuracy using the phase adjustment task. Psychophysiology 2024:e14689. [PMID: 39323015 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Previous evidence suggests males and females differ with respect to interoception-the processing of internal bodily signals-with males typically outperforming females on tasks of interoceptive accuracy. However, interpretation of existing evidence in the cardiac domain is hindered by the limitations of existing tools. In this investigation, we pooled data from several samples to examine sex differences in cardiac interoceptive accuracy on the phase adjustment task, a new measure that overcomes several limitations of the existing tools. In a sample of 266 individuals, we observed that females outperformed males, indicative of better cardiac interoceptive accuracy, but had lower confidence than males. These results held after controlling for sex differences in demographic, physiological and engagement factors. Importantly, these results were specific to the measure of cardiac interoceptive accuracy. No sex differences were observed for individuals who completed the structurally identical screener task, although a similar pattern of results was observed in relation to confidence. These surprising data suggest the presence of a female advantage for cardiac interoceptive accuracy and potential differences in interoceptive awareness (metacognition). Possible reasons for mixed results in the literature, as well as implications for theory and future research, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ria Spooner
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Rhea Clemente
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | - Elisa Fernandez Fueyo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
- Department of Anthropology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gemma Budworth
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | - Dorina Cocirla
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | - Jennifer Todd
- School of Psychology and Sport Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Psychological Medicine, Perdana University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jane Aspell
- School of Psychology and Sport Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mateo Leganes
- Louvain Experimental Psychopathology Research Group (LEP), Psychological Science Research Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Developmental Psychopathology Department, Psychology School, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dawn Watling
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | - David Plans
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca Brewer
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | - Jennifer Murphy
- Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
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2
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Canino S, Torchia V, Gaita M, Raimo S, Palermo L. Linking the inner and outer mental representations of the body to social cognition skills: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuropsychologia 2024; 204:108989. [PMID: 39233220 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2024.108989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
An interesting interpretation of embodiment highlights the critical role of mental body representations (BR), including motor, somatosensory, and interoceptive formats, for social cognition. However, the nature of this relationship is still debated at the empirical level, with various studies arriving at different conclusions. Here, we present a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize data from 3466 participants in 21 studies to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between inner and outer BR and social cognition. We focused on two core social cognition aspects: empathy and Theory of Mind (ToM). Concerning the inner BR, our meta-analytic findings reveal a significant correlation between specific interoceptive dimensions (i.e., interoceptive sensibility and accuracy) and social cognition, which was stronger for empathy than ToM. Conversely, although further research is needed, functional BR that mainly involve the outer body processing (i.e., nonaction-oriented BR) may show positive links with ToM. These findings point to specific interactions between BR and social cognition skills, supporting multi-faceted and embodied social cognition models. However, we also identified critical knowledge gaps and highlighted the need for further investigation to deepen our theoretical understanding of these relationships and their implications for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Canino
- Department of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Valentina Torchia
- Department of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Gaita
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Simona Raimo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Liana Palermo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
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3
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Poerio GL, Klabunde M, Bird G, Murphy J. Interoceptive attention and mood in daily life: an experience-sampling study. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230256. [PMID: 39005033 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Theories of emotion ascribe a fundamental role to the processing of bodily signals (interoception) in emotional experience. Despite evidence consistent with this, current knowledge is limited by a focus on interoceptive accuracy and laboratory-based interoception measures. This experience-sampling study examines how state interoceptive attention and state emotional experience are related in everyday life, providing the first data to our knowledge examining: (1) within-subject fluctuations in interoceptive attention across domains, and (2) the relationship between trait and state interoception. Compared with rates of exteroceptive attention (auditory attention: engaged 83% of the time), interoceptive signals captured attention approximately 20% of the time, with substantial within- and between-person variability across domains. There were relationships between interoceptive attention and emotion in daily life (greater attention being associated with more negative valence and fatigue) that were specific to interoceptive attention (different patterns were observed with exteroceptive attention). State measures of interoceptive (but not exteroceptive) attention were correlated with the trait interoceptive attention, but not accuracy. Results underscore the relationship between interoceptive attention and emotion, providing new insights into interoceptive attention and the structure of interoceptive ability. Future research should examine the source(s) of within- and between-person variability in interoceptive and exteroceptive attention and its relationship with emotional experience. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia L Poerio
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer BN1 9QH, UK
| | - Megan Klabunde
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Geoffrey Bird
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Jennifer Murphy
- Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
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4
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Stroh AL, Radziun D, Korczyk M, Crucianelli L, Ehrsson HH, Szwed M. Blind individuals' enhanced ability to sense their own heartbeat is related to the thickness of their occipital cortex. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae324. [PMID: 39152673 PMCID: PMC11329624 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Blindness is associated with heightened sensory abilities, such as improved hearing and tactile acuity. Moreover, recent evidence suggests that blind individuals are better than sighted individuals at perceiving their own heartbeat, suggesting enhanced interoceptive accuracy. Structural changes in the occipital cortex have been hypothesized as the basis of these behavioral enhancements. Indeed, several studies have shown that congenitally blind individuals have increased cortical thickness within occipital areas compared to sighted individuals, but how these structural differences relate to behavioral enhancements is unclear. This study investigated the relationship between cardiac interoceptive accuracy and cortical thickness in 23 congenitally blind individuals and 23 matched sighted controls. Our results show a significant positive correlation between performance in a heartbeat counting task and cortical thickness only in the blind group, indicating a connection between structural changes in occipital areas and blind individuals' enhanced ability to perceive heartbeats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Lena Stroh
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, ul. Ingardena 6, 30-060, Kraków, Poland
| | - Dominika Radziun
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, 171 65 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maksymilian Korczyk
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, ul. Ingardena 6, 30-060, Kraków, Poland
| | - Laura Crucianelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, 171 65 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - H Henrik Ehrsson
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, 171 65 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcin Szwed
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, ul. Ingardena 6, 30-060, Kraków, Poland
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5
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Feldman MJ, Bliss-Moreau E, Lindquist KA. The neurobiology of interoception and affect. Trends Cogn Sci 2024; 28:643-661. [PMID: 38395706 PMCID: PMC11222051 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2024.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Scholars have argued for centuries that affective states involve interoception, or representations of the state of the body. Yet, we lack a mechanistic understanding of how signals from the body are transduced, transmitted, compressed, and integrated by the brains of humans to produce affective states. We suggest that to understand how the body contributes to affect, we first need to understand information flow through the nervous system's interoceptive pathways. We outline such a model and discuss how unique anatomical and physiological aspects of interoceptive pathways may give rise to the qualities of affective experiences in general and valence and arousal in particular. We conclude by considering implications and future directions for research on interoception, affect, emotions, and human mental experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Feldman
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - E Bliss-Moreau
- Department of Psychology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA; California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - K A Lindquist
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Stephenson ES, Koltermann K, Zhou G, Stevens JA. Cardiac interoception in the museum: A novel measure of experience. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1385746. [PMID: 38962234 PMCID: PMC11221354 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1385746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Interoception is the perception of the body's internal signals in response to various external and internal stimuli. The present study uses a novel method adapted from the CARdiac Elevation Detection Task to examine cardiac interoception objectively and subjectively in a unique context-in the presence of art. Self-report questionnaires were used to measure subjective interoceptive awareness, subjective interoceptive accuracy, and aesthetic appreciation. For objective interoceptive accuracy and sensibility, a wearable device (Shimmer) measured heart rate (HR) and connected to a mobile application to prompt two questions: "Is your heart beating faster than usual?" and "How confident are you in your previous response?" Participants explored an art gallery for 40 minutes while the Shimmer measured their HR and randomly prompted them to answer the questions. Using a Generalized Estimating Equation model, interoceptive sensibility was not found to predict the odds of submitting a correct response. It was also found that art does not improve participants' perceptions of their HR. Finally, there was no relation between aesthetic appreciation and subjective or objective cardiac interoception. Despite lack of statistical significance, the current study's method presents an improved method by examining interoceptive accuracy in the moment under ecological conditions. To date, findings and methods used in interoception are inconsistent or flawed; the value in the current study lies in the development and demonstration of a method to examine how the environment influences the body and self-awareness across a wide variety of contexts, thereby offering a possible standardized measure of interoception for investigators to adopt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma S. Stephenson
- Department of Psychological Sciences, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, United States
| | - Kenneth Koltermann
- Department of Computer Science, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, United States
| | - Gang Zhou
- Department of Computer Science, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, United States
| | - Jennifer A. Stevens
- Department of Psychological Sciences, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, United States
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7
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Leech K, Stapleton P, Patching A. A roadmap to understanding interoceptive awareness and post-traumatic stress disorder: a scoping review. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1355442. [PMID: 38840943 PMCID: PMC11150711 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1355442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The concept of interoception has existed since the beginning of the 1900s. It is suggested that humans can observe feelings arising from the body that allows them to develop a sense of their emotional status and physical condition. The term interoceptive awareness appears to originate with clinicians working with individuals who had experienced trauma, in particular Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this scoping review was to provide an overview of the existing literature surrounding the combination of these two themes: interoceptive awareness and PTSD. A total of 226 articles were initially screened and 52 articles were retained for comprehensive review. Nine articles were excluded, resulting in 43 studies included in the review. The review aimed to answer: (a) how is interoceptive awareness defined? (b) how is interoceptive awareness measured? (c) what is the function of interoceptive awareness? (d) is there/what is the relationship between interoceptive awareness and PTSD? The scoping review identified nine terms that are used synonymously throughout the literature surrounding interoceptive awareness and PTSD, and three primary ways in which interoceptive awareness is measured in relation to PTSD. The primary function documented was the role interoceptive awareness played in an individual's ability to regulate their emotions, and the most common and compelling function emerging was the association with emotion regulation. The evidence supports the utilisation of a definition of interoceptive awareness to include one that includes the quality of cognitive appraisal and focuses on the adaptive mindful approach to internal physical sensations as opposed to the heightened ruminative self-focus. Limitations and future research are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Leech
- School of Psychology, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
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8
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Desmedt O, Van den Bergh O. Beyond interoceptive accuracy: New directions in interoception research. Biol Psychol 2024; 189:108800. [PMID: 38631551 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2024.108800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Desmedt
- Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Omer Van den Bergh
- Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven BE-3000, Belgium
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9
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Fani N, Fulton T, Botzanowski B. The Neurophysiology of Interoceptive Disruptions in Trauma-Exposed Populations. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 38678141 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2024_469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
In the aftermath of psychological trauma, many individuals experience perturbations in interoception, a term that broadly references the ability to accurately detect body signals and integrate these signals with emotional states. These interoceptive disruptions can manifest in different ways, including blunting or amplification of sensitivity to internal physiological signals. In this chapter we review extant neurophysiological research on interoception in trauma-exposed populations, with a particular focus on the effects of chronic interpersonal trauma, such as childhood maltreatment and racial discrimination. We explore research that used different types of interoceptive assays, from self-report measures to electrophysiological and neuroimaging tools to characterize the disruptions in pain perception, interoceptive acuity, and physiological responses that may arise after a traumatic event. Finally, we discuss interventions that are designed to target interoceptive mechanisms, from exposure-based therapies to mindfulness-based practices, as well as future directions in trauma interoception research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Fani
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Travis Fulton
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Boris Botzanowski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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10
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Rogowska AM, Tataruch R. The relationship between mindfulness and athletes' mental skills may be explained by emotion regulation and self-regulation. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2024; 16:68. [PMID: 38504372 PMCID: PMC10949773 DOI: 10.1186/s13102-024-00863-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although numerous psychological determinants of sports success have been identified in the scientific literature, research on the contribution of mindfulness and interoceptive awareness to sports achievements remains limited. This study investigates the relationship between self-reported mental skills determining sports success (i.e., flow state, attention, technique, sensitivity to error, commitment, and achievement), state mindfulness for physical activity (of the mind and the body), and interoceptive awareness (including scales of noticing, not distracting, not worrying, attention regulation, emotional awareness, self-regulation, body listening, and trusting). METHODS A cross-sectional online survey was conducted on a sample of elite athletes in speed skating (n = 54) and university students of physical education (n = 102) representing various sports disciplines and competitive levels. The Sports Success Scale (SSS), the State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity (SMS-PA), and the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA-2) were used to assess psychological determinants of athletic achievements, state mindfulness, and interoceptive sensitivity, respectively. RESULTS Our findings indicate some small-to-moderate differences in particular dimensions of psychological traits related to sports success, mindfulness, and interoceptive awareness between athletes of different genders, groups, and competitive levels. A chain mediation model showed that the relationship between body mindfulness and psychological variables determining sports success is fully explained by two dimensions of interoception: self-regulation and attention regulation. CONCLUSIONS Cultivating the mindfulness state of the body can improve self-regulation and attention regulation, which in turn may increase the mental skills required for successful sports participation. Therefore, mental training should focus primarily on body mindfulness, attention regulation, and self-regulation to improve the mental skills responsible for athletes' sports achievements. In addition, individual differences in athletes' gender, sports discipline, and level of sports competition should be considered during mental training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra M Rogowska
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Social Sciences, University of Opole, Opole, Poland.
| | - Rafał Tataruch
- Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Opole University of Technology, Opole, Poland
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11
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Murphy J, Bird G. Auditing measures of interoceptive accuracy: Important clarifications. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 158:105557. [PMID: 38244955 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, United Kingdom.
| | - Geoffrey Bird
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
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12
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Körmendi J, Ferentzi E. Heart activity perception: narrative review on the measures of the cardiac perceptual ability. Biol Futur 2024; 75:3-15. [PMID: 37747684 DOI: 10.1007/s42977-023-00181-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Measures of cardiac perceptual ability (also called cardiac accuracy) are methods of cardiac interoception, the perception of bodily sensation related to heart activity. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of these methods. We differentiate between three main measurement types: (1) change detection, i.e., when the task is to notice the change in the heart rate; also called: heart rate perception tasks, (2) discrimination tasks, i.e., when the task is to compare the internal sensations with external signal(s); also called: heartbeat detection tasks and (3) tracking tasks, i.e., when the task is to follow and report heartbeats via tapping or counting. We describe some of the new methods under "mixed methods," as they share features with more than one of the large measurement types described above. Specific measures differ in various aspects, such as their focus (heart rhythm vs. single beats), their sensitivity to non-conscious sensations and the calculated indices (e.g., whether significance level by hypothesis test is provided). When a measure of cardiac perceptual ability is chosen, it is advisable to take its characteristics into consideration in light of the planned research.
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Affiliation(s)
- János Körmendi
- Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Ádám György Psychophysiology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Ferentzi
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
- Ádám György Psychophysiology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary.
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13
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Viding E, Lloyd A, Law R, Martin P, Lucas L, Wu TCH, Steinbeis N, Midgley N, Veenstra R, Smith J, Ly L, Bird G, Murphy J, Plans D, Munafo M, Penton-Voak I, Deighton J, Richards K, Richards M, Fearon P. Trial protocol for the Building Resilience through Socio-Emotional Training (ReSET) programme: a cluster randomised controlled trial of a new transdiagnostic preventative intervention for adolescents. Trials 2024; 25:143. [PMID: 38395922 PMCID: PMC10885387 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-07931-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescence is a period of heightened vulnerability to developing mental health problems, and rates of mental health disorder in this age group have increased in the last decade. Preventing mental health problems developing before they become entrenched, particularly in adolescents who are at high risk, is an important research and clinical target. Here, we report the protocol for the trial of the 'Building Resilience through Socioemotional Training' (ReSET) intervention. ReSET is a new, preventative intervention that incorporates individual-based emotional training techniques and group-based social and communication skills training. We take a transdiagnostic approach, focusing on emotion processing and social mechanisms implicated in the onset and maintenance of various forms of psychopathology. METHODS A cluster randomised allocation design is adopted with randomisation at the school year level. Five-hundred and forty adolescents (aged 12-14) will be randomised to either receive the intervention or not (passive control). The intervention is comprised of weekly sessions over an 8-week period, supplemented by two individual sessions. The primary outcomes, psychopathology symptoms and mental wellbeing, will be assessed pre- and post-intervention, and at a 1-year follow-up. Secondary outcomes are task-based assessments of emotion processing, social network data based on peer nominations, and subjective ratings of social relationships. These measures will be taken at baseline, post-intervention and 1-year follow-up. A subgroup of participants and stakeholders will be invited to take part in focus groups to assess the acceptability of the intervention. DISCUSSION This project adopts a theory-based approach to the development of a new intervention designed to target the close connections between young people's emotions and their interpersonal relationships. By embedding the intervention within a school setting and using a cluster-randomised design, we aim to develop and test a feasible, scalable intervention to prevent the onset of psychopathology in adolescence. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN88585916. Trial registration date: 20/04/2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essi Viding
- Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AP, UK.
| | - Alex Lloyd
- Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AP, UK
| | - Roslyn Law
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
| | - Peter Martin
- Applied Health Research Institute of Epidemiology & Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Laura Lucas
- Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AP, UK
| | - Tom Chin-Han Wu
- Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AP, UK
| | - Nikolaus Steinbeis
- Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AP, UK
| | - Nick Midgley
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
| | - René Veenstra
- Department of Sociology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Germany
| | - Jaime Smith
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
| | - Lili Ly
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
| | - Geoffrey Bird
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jennifer Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | - David Plans
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | - Marcus Munafo
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Ian Penton-Voak
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jessica Deighton
- Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AP, UK
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
| | | | | | - Pasco Fearon
- Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AP, UK.
- Centre for Family Research, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK.
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14
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Murphy J. Interoception: Where do we go from here? Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2024; 77:223-229. [PMID: 37082986 PMCID: PMC10798007 DOI: 10.1177/17470218231172725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a significant rise in interest in interoception, the processing of internal bodily signals. This interest has been coupled by increased concerns regarding the measurement and conceptualisation of interoception. Focusing on cardiac interoceptive accuracy, I outline what I believe to be the most pressing issues in the field of interoception-specifically the continued reliance on the heartbeat counting task. I then provide an overview of what I believe to be more general limitations concerning how we measure and conceptualise individual differences in interoception and suggestions for a way forward. Specifically, I believe that by moving beyond single measurements, establishing optimal levels of interoceptive accuracy, and refocusing from accuracy to propensity, we may be able to uncover the real-life relevance of interoceptive abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UK
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15
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Todd J, Plans D, Lee MC, Bird JM, Morelli D, Cunningham A, Ponzo S, Murphy J, Bird G, Aspell JE. Heightened interoception in adults with fibromyalgia. Biol Psychol 2024; 186:108761. [PMID: 38309512 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2024.108761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Previous research suggests that the processing of internal body sensations (interoception) affects how we experience pain. Some evidence suggests that people with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) - a condition characterised by chronic pain and fatigue - may have altered interoceptive processing. However, extant findings are inconclusive, and some tasks previously used to measure interoception are of questionable validity. Here, we used an alternative measure - the Phase Adjustment Task (PAT) - to examine cardiac interoceptive accuracy in adults with FMS. We examined: (i) the tolerability of the PAT in an FMS sample (N = 154); (ii) if there are differences in facets of interoception (PAT performance, PAT-related confidence, and scores on the Private Body Consciousness Scale) between an FMS sample and an age- and gender-matched pain-free sample (N = 94); and (iii) if subgroups of participants with FMS are identifiable according to interoceptive accuracy levels. We found the PAT was tolerable in the FMS sample, with additional task breaks and a recommended hand posture. The FMS sample were more likely to be classified as 'interoceptive' on the PAT, and had significantly higher self-reported interoception compared to the pain-free sample. Within the FMS sample, we identified a subgroup who demonstrated very strong evidence of being interoceptive, and concurrently had lower fibromyalgia symptom impact (although the effect size was small). Conversely, self-reported interoception was positively correlated with FMS symptom severity and impact. Overall, interoception may be an important factor to consider in understanding and managing FMS symptoms. We recommend future longitudinal work to better understand associations between fluctuating FMS symptoms and interoception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Todd
- School of Psychology and Sport Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Centre for Psychological Medicine, Perdana University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - David Plans
- Department of Management, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom; Huma Therapeutics Ltd, London, United Kingdom; Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michael C Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan M Bird
- Department of Management, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Davide Morelli
- Department of Engineering Science, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sonia Ponzo
- Huma Therapeutics Ltd, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, United Kingdom
| | - Geoffrey Bird
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jane E Aspell
- School of Psychology and Sport Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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16
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Rominger C, Schwerdtfeger AR. Dynamic heartbeat tracking beyond the laboratory: Introducing the novel Graz Ambulatory Interoception Task (GRAIT). Int J Psychophysiol 2023; 192:80-90. [PMID: 37574020 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2023.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
We present a novel ambulatory method, the Graz Ambulatory Interoception Task (GRAIT), to assess the accuracy of interoceptive beliefs (AccIB). This method captures both between- and within-person variations of AccIB by having participants counting perceived heartbeats in daily life. Reliability analyses showed high between-person (RkR = 0.99) and moderate within-person reliability (RCn = 0.62). Validity was supported by associations with an established laboratory task (r = 0.87). Within-person associations revealed that interoceptive sensibility, heart rate variability, and states of low arousal coupled with positive affect were linked to AccIB. Study 2 replicated these findings and showed a relationship between AccIB and self-control in everyday life, highlighting the importance of cardiac interoception and its relevance for health.
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17
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Desmedt O, Luminet O, Walentynowicz M, Corneille O. The new measures of interoceptive accuracy: A systematic review and assessment. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105388. [PMID: 37708919 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Conscious interoception, the perception of internal bodily states, is thought to contribute to fundamental human abilities (e.g., decision-making and emotional regulation). One of its most studied dimensions is interoceptive accuracy: the objective capacity to detect internal bodily signals. In the past few years, several labs across the world have started developing new tasks aimed at overcoming limitations inherent in classical measures of interoceptive accuracy. In this systematic review, we identified these tasks (since 2015) for the cardiac, respiratory, and gastrointestinal domains. For each identified task, we discuss their strengths and weaknesses, and make constructive suggestions for further improvement. In the general discussion, we discuss the (potentially elusive) possibility of reaching high validity in the measurement of interoceptive accuracy. We also point out that interoceptive accuracy may not be the most critical dimension for informing current theories, and we encourage researchers to investigate other dimensions of conscious interoception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Desmedt
- Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Psychological Science Research Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; Fund for Scientific Research (FRS-FNRS), Belgium.
| | - Olivier Luminet
- Psychological Science Research Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; Fund for Scientific Research (FRS-FNRS), Belgium
| | - Marta Walentynowicz
- Centre for the Psychology of Learning and Experimental Psychopathology, KULeuven, Belgium
| | - Olivier Corneille
- Psychological Science Research Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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18
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Brand S, Meis AC, Tünte MR, Murphy J, Woller JP, Jungmann SM, Witthöft M, Hoehl S, Weymar M, Hermann C, Ventura-Bort C. A multi-site German validation of the Interoceptive Accuracy Scale and its relation to psychopathological symptom burden. COMMUNICATIONS PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 1:14. [PMID: 39242870 PMCID: PMC11332230 DOI: 10.1038/s44271-023-00016-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
Altered interoception is thought to be implicated in the development of psychopathology. Recent proposals highlight the need to differentiate between dimensions of interoception to better understand its relation to mental health. Here, we validated a German version of the Interoceptive Accuracy Scale (IAS) and investigated the relationship between IAS scores and clinical outcomes, across seven samples from four research centers (N = 3462). The German IAS version was best explained by a one-factor structure that showed acceptable psychometric properties. We replicated previous findings showing a negative association between IAS scores and measures of alexithymia. IAS scores were negatively related to measures of clinical symptomatology (e.g., anxiety, depressive, and somatoform symptoms) and neurotic traits. These findings suggest that the German IAS is a reliable and valid instrument for subjective interoceptive accuracy. Results emphasize the importance of distinguishing between dimensions of interoception to understand its potential modulatory and protective role in psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Brand
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Annelie Claudia Meis
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Markus Roman Tünte
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Doctoral School Cognition, Behavior and Neuroscience, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jennifer Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, London, UK
| | - Joshua Pepe Woller
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Stefanie Maria Jungmann
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael Witthöft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hoehl
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Weymar
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Christiane Hermann
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Ventura-Bort
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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19
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Nayok SB, Sreeraj VS, Shivakumar V, Venkatasubramanian G. A Primer on Interoception and its Importance in Psychiatry. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN COLLEGE OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 21:252-261. [PMID: 37119217 PMCID: PMC10157017 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2023.21.2.252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Interoception is the perception of signals from inside the body. It plays a significant role in the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and endocrine systems. It is also closely related to the autonomic nervous system and inflammatory pathways and plays a significant role in our optimal functioning. Recently, interoception has gained more attention in neuropsychiatric research. Anatomical and physiological aspects of interoception like relevant brain areas, the role of the vagus nerve, and the autonomic nervous system are gradually being understood. Different facets of interoception like interoceptive attention, detection, magnitude, discrimination, accuracy, awareness, and appraisal have been proposed and their assessments and importance are being evaluated. Further, interoception is often dysregulated or abnormal in psychiatric disorders. It has been implicated in the psychopathology, etiopathogenesis, clinical features and treatment of mood, anxiety, psychotic, personality and addiction-related disorders. This narrative review attempts to provide a nuanced understanding of the pathway(s), components, functions, assessments, and problems of interoception and will help us to detect its disturbances and evaluate its impact on psychiatric disorders, leading to a better perspective and management. This will also advance interoception-related research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarna Buddha Nayok
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India
| | - Vanteemar S. Sreeraj
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India
| | - Venkataram Shivakumar
- Department of Integrative Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India
| | - Ganesan Venkatasubramanian
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India
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20
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Characterizing Interoceptive Differences in Autism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Case-control Studies. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:947-962. [PMID: 35819587 PMCID: PMC9832174 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05656-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Interoception, the body's perception of its own internal states, is thought to be altered in autism, though results of empirical studies have been inconsistent. The current study systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the extant literature comparing interoceptive outcomes between autistic (AUT) and neurotypical (NT) individuals, determining which domains of interoception demonstrate robust between-group differences. A three-level Bayesian meta-analysis compared heartbeat counting performance, heartbeat discrimination performance, heartbeat counting confidence ratings, and self-reported interoceptive attention between AUT and NT groups (15 studies; nAUT = 467, nNT = 478). Autistic participants showed significantly reduced heartbeat counting performance [g = - 0.333, CrI95% (- 0.535, - 0.138)] and higher confidence in their heartbeat counting abilities [g = 0.430, CrI95% (0.123, 0.750)], but groups were equivalent on other meta-analyzed outcomes. Implications for future interoception research in autism are discussed.
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21
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Seabury T, Benton D, Young HA. Interoceptive differences in elite sprint and long-distance runners: A multidimensional investigation. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0278067. [PMID: 36696380 PMCID: PMC9876362 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Interoception, the process of detecting and interpreting bodily sensations, may facilitate self-regulation and thereby play a crucial role in achieving elite performance in competitive sports. However, there is a lack of research conducted in world-class athletes. In the present research, two studies examined self-reported (interoceptive sensibility) and behavioural (interoceptive accuracy) interoception in elite (top 100 ranking) sprint and long-distance runners, and non-athletes. Study 1 used the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness Questionnaire. Sprinters reported having better regulation of attention to internal sensations, greater emotional awareness, better self-regulation, and reported a greater propensity to listen to their body for insight, than distance runners. Compared to non-athletes, sprinters and distance runners had more bodily trust, attention regulation, and self-regualtion. Additionally, elite athletes reported lower emotional awareness, self-regulation, and body listening. Study 2 examined cardioception using two tasks: The Heartbeat Counting Task, and The Heartbeat Detection Task. Elite and non-elite runners performed the tasks under two conditions; in silence, and whilst listening to pre-recorded crowd noise that simulated the live sounds of spectators during a sporting event. Sprinters and distance runners were able to maintain heartbeat detection accuracy when distracted, whereas non-athletes could not. Across both tasks, compared to non-athletes, sprinters and distance runners were more confident than non-athletes in their interoceptive percept. Additionally, elite athletes compared to non-elite athletes were less accurate when counting their heartbeat and were characterised by a higher interoceptive prediction error. Athletic populations have altered interoceptive abilities.
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22
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Crucianelli L, Ehrsson HH. The Role of the Skin in Interoception: A Neglected Organ? PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2023; 18:224-238. [PMID: 35969893 PMCID: PMC9902974 DOI: 10.1177/17456916221094509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In the past 2 decades, interoception has received increasing attention in the fields of psychology and cognitive science, as well as neuroscience and physiology. A plethora of studies adopted the perception of cardiac signals as a proxy for interoception. However, recent findings have cast doubt on the methodological and intrinsic validity of the tasks used thus far. Therefore, there is an ongoing effort to improve the existing cardiac interoceptive tasks and to identify novel channels to target the perception of the physiological state of the body. Amid such scientific abundancy, one could question whether the field has been partially neglecting one of our widest organs in terms of dimensions and functions: the skin. According to some views grounded on anatomical and physiological evidence, skin-mediated signals such as affective touch, pain, and temperature have been redefined as interoceptive. However, there is no agreement in this regard. Here, we discuss some of the anatomical, physiological, and experimental arguments supporting the scientific study of interoception by means of skin-mediated signals. We argue that more attention should be paid to the skin as a sensory organ that monitors the bodily physiological state and further propose thermosensation as a particularly attractive model of skin-mediated interoception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Crucianelli
- Laura Crucianelli, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet
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23
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Saini F, Ponzo S, Silvestrin F, Fotopoulou A, David AS. Depersonalization disorder as a systematic downregulation of interoceptive signals. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22123. [PMID: 36543824 PMCID: PMC9772393 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22277-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Depersonalisation disorder (DPD) is a psychopathological condition characterised by a feeling of detachment from one's own body and surrounding, and it is understood as emerging from the downregulation of interoceptive afferents. However, the precise mechanisms that drive this 'interoceptive silencing' are yet to be clarified. Here we present a computational and neurobiologically plausible model of DPD within the active inference framework. Specifically, we describe DPD as arising from disrupted interoceptive processing at higher levels of the cortical hierarchy where the interoceptive and exteroceptive streams are integrated. We simulated the behaviour of an agent subjected to a situation of high interoceptive activation despite the absence of a perceivable threat in the external environment. The simulation showed how a similar condition, if perceived as inescapable, would result in a downregulation of interoceptive signals, whilst leaving the exteroceptive ones unaffected. Such interoceptive silencing would force the agent to over-rely on exteroceptive information and would ultimately lead to the DPD phenomenology. Finally, our simulation shows that repeated exposure to similar situations over time will lead the agent to increasingly disengage from bodily responses even in the face of a less triggering situation, explaining how a single episode of depersonalization can lead to chronic DPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fedal Saini
- grid.499389.60000 0004 0375 2443Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s London College, London, SE5 8AF UK
| | - Sonia Ponzo
- Flo Health, London, UK ,grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Francesco Silvestrin
- Thrive Therapeutic Software Ltd., London, UK ,grid.8273.e0000 0001 1092 7967University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ UK
| | - Aikaterini Fotopoulou
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Division of Psychology & Language Sciences, Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology Research Department, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anthony S. David
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Institute of Mental Health, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
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24
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Arslanova I, Galvez-Pol A, Kilner J, Finotti G, Tsakiris M. Seeing Through Each Other's Hearts: Inferring Others' Heart Rate as a Function of Own Heart Rate Perception and Perceived Social Intelligence. AFFECTIVE SCIENCE 2022; 3:862-877. [PMID: 36519151 PMCID: PMC9743902 DOI: 10.1007/s42761-022-00151-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Successful social interactions require a good understanding of the emotional states of other people. This information is often not directly communicated but must be inferred. As all emotional experiences are also imbedded in the visceral or interoceptive state of the body (i.e., accelerating heart rate during arousal), successfully inferring the interoceptive states of others may open a window into their emotional state. But how well can people do that? Here, we replicate recent results showing that people can discriminate between the cardiac states (i.e., the resting heartrate) of other people by simply looking at them. We further tested whether the ability to infer the interoceptive states of others depends on one's own interoceptive abilities. We measured people's performance in a cardioception task and their self-reported interoceptive accuracy. Whilst neither was directly associated to their ability to infer the heartrate of another person, we found a significant interaction. Specifically, overestimating one's own interoceptive capacities was associated with a worse performance at inferring the heartrate of others. In contrast, underestimating one's own interoceptive capacities did not have such influence. This pattern suggests that deficient beliefs about own interoceptive capacities can have detrimental effects on inferring the interoceptive states of other people. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42761-022-00151-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irena Arslanova
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | | | - James Kilner
- Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gianluca Finotti
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | - Manos Tsakiris
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
- Centre for the Politics of Feeling, School of Advanced Study, University of London, London, UK
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25
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Limonova AS, Germanova KN, Gantman MV, Nazarova MA, Davtyan KV, Novikov PA, Sukmanova AA, Tarasov AV, Kharlap MS, Ershova AI, Drapkina OM. Neurovisceral interactions within the brain-heart axis as the basis of neurocardiology. КАРДИОВАСКУЛЯРНАЯ ТЕРАПИЯ И ПРОФИЛАКТИКА 2022. [DOI: 10.15829/1728-8800-2022-3435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of a systematic approach to the study of the etiology of a certain pathology makes it possible to improve the understanding of its pathogenesis, as well as to develop more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including improving the prediction of its risk. Within this review, we will consider such an area of interdisciplinary research as neurocardiology, which studies the brain-heart axis. Examples of cardiovascular diseases associated with organic and functional disorders of this axis will be considered, as well as the prospects for research in this area and their translational significance for clinical medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. S. Limonova
- National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
| | - K. N. Germanova
- National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine; National Research University Higher School of Economics
| | - M. V. Gantman
- National Research University Higher School of Economics
| | - M. A. Nazarova
- National Research University Higher School of Economics; Harvard Medical School
| | - K. V. Davtyan
- National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
| | - P. A. Novikov
- National Research University Higher School of Economics
| | - A. A. Sukmanova
- National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine; National Research University Higher School of Economics
| | - A. V. Tarasov
- National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
| | - M. S. Kharlap
- National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
| | - A. I. Ershova
- National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
| | - O. M. Drapkina
- National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
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26
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Schillings C, Karanassios G, Schulte N, Schultchen D, Pollatos O. The Effects of a 3-Week Heartbeat Perception Training on Interoceptive Abilities. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:838055. [PMID: 35615275 PMCID: PMC9124832 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.838055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies showed promising short-term effects of heartbeat perception training on interoceptive abilities. Research on the effects of heartbeat perception training on interoceptive abilities over time is sparse. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the short-term effects and the effects of a 3-week heartbeat perception training over time on interoceptive abilities, namely, cardiac interoceptive accuracy (IAc) and interoceptive sensibility (IS). A total of 40 healthy participants were randomized to the intervention group (n = 20) or the control group (n = 20). The intervention group conducted three cardiac biofeedback sessions (one per week) at the laboratory, whereas the control group watched a documentary instead. Interoceptive abilities were assessed via the heartbeat perception task (IAc) and confidence ratings (IS) at baseline, after each laboratory session, and 1 week after the last session (post-measurement). IAc was significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group after the first training session (short-term effect). There were no significant improvements in IS due to the first session, and neither on IAc nor IS over time. Descriptive trends of improved interoceptive abilities over time were found in both groups. Single session of heartbeat perception training seems to be a promising approach to improve IAc. Future research should further investigate the long-term effects of diverse heartbeat perception training varying in frequency and intensity of the training sessions in diverse samples aiming to improve interoceptive abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Schillings
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- *Correspondence: Christine Schillings,
| | - Georgios Karanassios
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Niklas Schulte
- Department of Work and Organizational Psychology, Faculty of Engineering, Compurter Science and Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Dana Schultchen
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Olga Pollatos
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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27
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Adams KL, Murphy J, Catmur C, Bird G. The role of interoception in the overlap between eating disorders and autism: Methodological considerations. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2022; 30:501-509. [PMID: 35411642 PMCID: PMC9543236 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Significant comorbidity has been demonstrated between feeding and eating disorders and autism. Atypical interoception (perception of bodily signals) may, at least in part, be responsible for this association, as it has been implicated in the aetiology of both conditions. However, significant methodological limitations are impeding progress in this area. This paper provides a brief overview of how interoception has been linked to autism and feeding and eating disorders in both adolescent and adult populations before identifying several issues with current measures of interoception. We suggest that methodological issues may be contributing to the inconsistency in the empirical literature, and provide suggestions for future research. Atypical interoception is linked to both feeding and eating disorders, and autism and may contribute to the comorbidity between the two. Existing measures of interoception across cardiac, gastric and respiratory domains are severely limited. Novel and better‐validated measures of interoception will allow us to better understand the clinical potential of interoceptive training.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Caroline Catmur
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Geoffrey Bird
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Garfinkel SN, Schulz A, Tsakiris M. Addressing the need for new interoceptive methods. Biol Psychol 2022; 170:108322. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Suksasilp C, Garfinkel SN. Towards a comprehensive assessment of interoception in a multi-dimensional framework. Biol Psychol 2022; 168:108262. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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30
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Prentice F, Murphy J. Sex differences in interoceptive accuracy: A meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:497-518. [PMID: 34838927 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Interoceptive accuracy, the ability to correctly perceive internal signals arising from the body, is thought to be disrupted in numerous mental and physical health conditions. Whilst evidence suggests poorer interoceptive accuracy in females compared to males, raising the possibility that interoceptive differences may relate to sex differences in mental and physical health, results concerning sex differences in interoceptive accuracy are mixed. Given such ambiguity, this meta-analysis aimed to establish the presence or absence of sex differences in interoceptive accuracy across cardiac, respiratory, and gastric domains. A review of 7956 abstracts resulted in 93 eligible studies. Results demonstrated superior accuracy in males across cardiac, but not gastric, tasks, while findings on respiratory tasks were mixed. Effect sizes were consistent across cardiac tasks, but instability and/or moderate heterogeneity was observed across other domains, likely due to the small number of eligible studies. Despite such limitations, results indicate the possibility of sex differences across interoception tasks and domains. Methodological limitations concerning the influence of physiological factors, and directions for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freya Prentice
- Developmental Neurosciences Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, United Kingdom.
| | - Jennifer Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, United Kingdom
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31
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Ponzo S, Morelli D, Suksasilp C, Cairo M, Plans D. Measuring Interoception: The CARdiac Elevation Detection Task. Front Psychol 2021; 12:712896. [PMID: 34489814 PMCID: PMC8416769 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.712896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Interoception has increasingly been the focus of psychiatric research, due to its hypothesized role in mental health. Existing interoceptive tasks either suffer from important methodological limitations, impacting their validity, or are burdensome and require specialized equipment, which limits their usage in vulnerable populations. We report on the development of the CARdiac Elevation Detection (CARED) task. Participants' heart rate is recorded by a wearable device connected to a mobile application. Notifications are sent to participants' mobile throughout the day over a period of 4 weeks. Participants are asked to state whether their heart rate is higher than usual, rate their confidence and describe the activity they were involved in when the notification occurred. Data (N = 30) revealed that 1/3 of the sample was classified as interoceptive and that participants presented overall good insight into their interoceptive abilities. Given its ease of administration and accessibility, the CARED task has the potential to be a significant asset for psychiatric and developmental research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Ponzo
- Huma Therapeutics Ltd., London, United Kingdom
| | - Davide Morelli
- Huma Therapeutics Ltd., London, United Kingdom.,Department of Engineering Science, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Chatrin Suksasilp
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - David Plans
- Huma Therapeutics Ltd., London, United Kingdom.,Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,INDEX Group, Department of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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