Differential effects of heartbeat perception training on interoceptive accuracy in high vs. low symptom reporters 2026 Müller et al

[Andy]

Highlights​

• We investigated if post-learning stress after a heartbeat perception training affects interoceptive accuracy (IAc).
• Differences between high (HSR) and low somatic symptom reporters (LSR) were examined.
• HSR individuals showed a blunted cortisol response to the acute stressor.
• After overnight consolidation, HSR showed an increase of IAc if exposed to post-learning stress.
• Negative SAM and positive HPA axis response to the stressor seem to predict this increase.

Abstract​

Abnormal interoception may be a hallmark of medically-unexplained symptoms (MUS), although its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated whether MUS are associated with enhanced interoceptive learning, potentially facilitated by post-learning stress. From 177 volunteers providing self-reports on MUS, 22 individuals were recruited from the upper and 26 from the lower quartile (high/HSR and low symptom reporters/LSR) and randomly assigned to a stress or a control condition (LSR-stress/n = 12; LSR + stress/n = 14; HSR-stress/n = 11; HSR + stress/n = 11). Participants underwent a heartbeat perception training as interoceptive perceptual learning task, followed by a socially-evaluated cold pressor stress or a control intervention. Interoceptive accuracy was measured using the heartbeat counting and discrimination task at baseline (T₁), 30 min. (T₂) and 24 h (T₃) after the stress/control intervention. Sympatho-adreno-medullary (SAM) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes were measured in terms of heart rate, blood pressure (SBP/DBP) and salivary cortisol reflected reactivity.

The stress test induced a robust increase of SBP/DBP in both stress groups, and a cortisol increase in the LSR + stress group only. Post-learning stress induced an increase of interoceptive accuracy (heartbeat discrimination) the HSR + stress group only. Correlation/regression analyses showed a positive association between changes in interoceptive accuracy (heartbeat discrimination) from T1 to T2 with MUS, and changes from T2 to T3 with SAM and HPA axis responsiveness. Post-learning stress may enhance interoceptive learning in MUS, which may explain why benign body sensations are perceived as symptoms. While MUS-specific heightened attention to body sensations may be responsible for early effects, physiological stress axes may explain late effects of interoceptive learning, including overnight consolidation.

Paywall

 

[rvallee]

It really doesn't occur to anyone involved in this that it makes no sense? And that it's the exact same junk they've always asserted, with a cheap trick?

In many ways, this is in fact regression from the days of the Stanford prison experiment. This discipline has learned nothing from their many failures.