Relações entre interoceção, variabilidade da frequência cardíaca e funcionamento cognitivo

: um estudo exploratório

Abstract

Theorical Background: Currently, interoception is recognized as a set of complex processes through which the nervous system captures, processes and integrates physiological signals, creating a constant comprehensive representation of the internal state of the body. These signals are then processed and contextualized, in order to guide conscious and unconscious physiological responses, influencing emotional and cognitive processing. Heart rate variability is an indicator of the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic components of the autonomic nervous system, reflecting its adaptability and responsiveness to the perceived needs. Recent studies highlight the establishment of a feedback mechanism between these physiological processes, underlying a set of brain regions integrated into the central autonomic network, verifying a modulatory effect of heart rate variability on interoceptive capacity, with possible implications for emotional and cognitive functioning. Methodology: The present study was designed with the main objective of studying this relationship and its influence in cognitive functioning, developing the hypothesis of an individual and combined predictive effect on the performance of a short-term memory task. A non-probability sample of forty-one healthy participants was included. Initially, psychological health assessment questionnaires were administered, followed by completion of the MAIA questionnaire to assess interoceptive sensitivity and the digit memory task to assess cognitive functioning. Afterwards, the participants' baseline physiological measurements were recorded using an electrocardiogram and, finally, the heartbeat detection task was carried out. Results: No correlations were found between interoception and heart rate variability, but there was a positive association between HRV and interoceptive sensibility. In addition, there was a positive correlation and a predictive effect between interoceptive accuracy and the digit memory task. I Discussion: Interoceptive ability plays a fundamental role in maintaining homeostasis, emotional processing and cognitive functioning, guiding physiological responses in accordance with our environment. In this sense, current scientific literature shows a relationship between the perception of bodily sensations and the body's ability to respond, as indicated by heart rate variability. The results obtained were not as expected, however, they did show an association between autonomic regulation and the emotional dimension of interoceptive sensibility, which reflects the involvement of these components in emotional experience, and a positive and predictive relationship between interoceptive capacity and performance in simple cognitive tasks, which reflects interoception’s role in cognitive functioning. Conclusion: This exploratory research provides preliminary evidence on the relationship between interoception and autonomic regulation and its implications for cognitive and emotional functioning. Although some expected associations were not verified, it provides valuable information on the different dimensions integrated into the complex process of interoception and its implication in autonomic responsiveness and cognitive functioning.

Date of Award	7 Feb 2025
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Rita Canaipa (Supervisor) & Mariana Agostinho (Supervisor)