Enhanced cardiac perception is associated with benefits in decision‐making

Abstract

In the present study we provide the first empirical evidence that viscero-sensory feedback from an internal organ is associated with decision-making processes. Participants with accurate vs. poor perception of their heart activity were compared with regard to their performance in the Iowa Gambling Task. During this task, participants have to choose between four card decks. Decks A and B yield high gains and high losses, and if played continuously, result in net loss. In contrast, decks C and D yield small gains and also small losses, but result in net profit if they are selected continuously. Accordingly, participants have to learn to avoid the net loss options in favor of the net gain options. In our study, participants with good cardiac perception chose significantly more of the net gain and fewer of the net loss options. Our findings document the substantial role of visceral feedback in decision-making processes in complex situations.

Diminished Interoceptive Awareness in Fibromyalgia Syndrome

“…[39][40][41][42] As mentioned above, in previous studies individuals with low levels of cardiac interoceptive awareness performed more poorly on task quantifying attention and executive function. 11,12 Therefore, it appeared worthwhile to examine whether the reduction in interoceptive awareness expected in FMS is associated with cognitive deficits related to this condition. Finally, the impact of comorbid affective and anxiety disorders, and the use of psychoactive medication, on interoceptive awareness was analyzed.…”

“…9,10 Outside of the field of emotion, high interoceptive individuals performed better on neuropsychological tasks quantifying basic and higher cognitive functions. 11,12 Additional correlates of accurate interoceptive awareness include a more positive body image, assessed via questionnaires, and reduced proneness to experimentally induced distortions in body scheme. 4,13 In further studies, using questionnaire and experimental methods, high interoceptive individuals demonstrated greater expression of empathy, 14 improved behavioral self-control with respect to physical load, 15 and superior regulation of hunger and satiation compared to low interoceptive individuals.…”

Neural correlates of heart-focused interoception: a functional magnetic resonance imaging meta-analysis

“…High heart-focused interoceptive accuracy/sensitivity has been associated with increased emotional intensity [10], has been shown to support memory [11,12] and adaptive decisionmaking [13][14][15], and has predicted increased emotional intensity and reactivity to emotional pictures [16]. 1 Furthermore, it has been suggested that mood and anxiety disorders may root in issues related to interoception [17].…”

Attention interference for emotional stimuli in cardiac interoceptive awareness

“…In accordance with previous studies (e.g., Pollatos, Kirsch, & Schandry, 2005;Werner, Jung et al, 2009), we used a cut-off score of ≥.85 to assign participants to the group with high cardiac interoceptive awareness. Participants with a score of < .85 were assigned to the group with regular cardiac interoceptive awareness.…”