Investigating different measures of interoception

Abstract

Background: Interoceptive sensitivity (IS) is altered in several health conditions and has been found to relate to a more intense experience of emotions. However, the assessment of IS is problematic, as the results of the different measures suggest significant differences between the methods. We aimed to compare common objective methods with subjective assessments, and examine their relation to emotional regulation and anxiety. Methods: 33 undergraduate university students underwent two types of heartbeat detection tasks: (1) tracking and (2) discrimination. They completed the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ), and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS). Trait anxiety (STAI) and emotion regulation (DERS) were also measured. Findings: No significant correlation between the results of the two detection tasks was found. The results of the discrimination method did not correlate with the total score of any of the body awareness related assessments (MAIA, BAQ and SSAS). Interoception, as assessed by the tracking method, correlated with BAQ (r=.36, p=0.04), and two subscales of MAIA (Not-Worrying: r=.36, p=.05, and Trusting: r=.41, p=.02). Scores of emotion regulation and trait anxiety did not correlate with any measures of interoception. Discussion: The results suggest that discrimination and tracking methods of heartbeat detection measure different abilities. IS, when assessed with the tracking method, seems to be related to a trusting of one's bodily sensations, which is not accompanied by emotional distress and anxiety.