An investigation of interoceptive sensitivity in eating disorders using a heartbeat detection task and a self-report measure

Abstract

Background: Interoception has been proposed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of eating disorders (EDs).

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine a heart beat detection task (HBDT) as an objective index of interoceptive sensitivity in individuals with an ED.

Method: The self-report interoceptive deficits subscale of the Eating Disorders Inventory 3 was also used.

Results: The results of the HBDT demonstrated no significant difference between individuals with an ED and healthy controls. However, performance on this task also did not appear to be different from that expected by chance. Thus, these results cast doubt on the utility of the present HBDT for measuring interoceptive sensitivity.

Conclusion: Overall, the findings indicate that further research is needed to develop valid, objective measures of interoceptive sensitivity to be used in EDs, so as to overcome the reliance on the Eating Disorders Inventory 3 self-report subscale and to determine how such measures relate to ED and general psychopathology.

Keywords: body perception; eating disorders; emotion; heartbeat detection; interoception.