Interoceptive Interventions

Interoception research can substantially contribute to treatment modalities that improve organic disease management and mental health. Studies in asthma have demonstrated that feedback of added resistive loads can improve accuracy of detecting airway obstruction and that diaries of symptoms and spirometry self-measurement can improve estimations of lung function and asthma control. Multifaceted blood glucose perception training that combines accuracy training by self-measurement diaries with education about determinants of blood glucose can improve blood glucose control in individuals suffering from diabetes. In panic disorders, interoceptive exposure training with systematic elicitation of bodily sensations by exercises, including dyspnea by hyper- or hypoventilation, has aimed to reduce patients’ catastrophic interpretations of feared sensations. In addition, a range of relaxation and meditation techniques have been devised to enhance aspects of interoception, such as the detection of muscle tension by progressive muscle relaxation or attention to breathing via meditation techniques inspired by Buddhist practices, with the ultimate goal of improving general well-being. Although many approaches have yielded promising results, more attention to ecologically or physiologically valid selection of targets and personalization of treatment is warranted. This includes consideration of possible adverse effects of training on clinical outcomes through heightened attention to symptoms of illness.