The role of interoception in lifestyle factors: a systematic review

Abstract

Abstract Interoception, the perception of the internal state of the body, has been shown to play an important role in various conditions. A clear overview of the relationship between interoception and lifestyle factors has to the best of our knowledge not yet been presented. This systematic review aims to provide insight into the current state of evidence about the role of interoception in lifestyle factors. A protocol for this systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023465957). A systematic search conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases included terms such as interoception (accuracy, attention, awareness, sensitivity, or sensibility), as well as lifestyle factors (alcohol consumption, cognitive leisure and relaxation activities, eating behavior, exercise, sleep, or smoking). Studies written in English, using qualitative data, including adults, using at least one measure of interoception, and using at least on measure of a lifestyle factor were included. The review included 68 studies, in which 47 measures of interoceptive accuracy and 34 measures of interoceptive attention were identified. Six studies quantified interoceptive awareness (e.g., the interaction between interoceptive accuracy and attention). 12 studies focused on alcohol consumption, 22 studies on cognitive leisure and relaxation activities, 19 studies on eating behavior, 9 studies on exercise, 4 studies on sleep, and 5 studies on smoking. Generally, cognitive leisure and relaxation activities, eating behavior, and fasting showed positive relations with interoception. Conflicting evidence on the relation between exercise and some interoceptive domains, and moderate evidence on the positive relation with other interoceptive domains was found. Greater sleep difficulties were related to enhanced interoception scores and alcohol consumption was negatively related with interoception, while results on the relation between interoception and smoking behavior showed varying results. Key messages • Some lifestyle factors positively influence interoception and vice versa, while for other factors the results are varying or conflicting. • The role of interoceptive skills in lifestyle factors is important for lifestyle and health management.