Interoception and Body Scan

Exploring Visceral Body Scan, Somatosensory Body Scan, and External Meditation

Body scan meditation has been assumed to be an interoceptive intervention, and the evidence for its effects on interoceptive processes is unclear. Although this mindfulness based exercise typically involves focusing on some interoceptive signals such as breath, it also involves other bodily cues, such as somatosensory cues. The present study aimed to (1) investigate the feasibility of three online delivered mindfulness practices that differ in the signals targeted: visceral body scan (VBS), somatosensory body scan (SBS), and external (non body) meditation (ECM), and (2) gain insight into the potentially different effects of these interventions on interoceptive and other psychological outcomes in order to inform future full scale randomized controlled trials (RCT).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age over 18
• being Spanish or English speakers
• Ability to use a computer or smartphone
• Daily access to computer or smartphone with an Internet connection

Exclusion Criteria:

• Being diagnosed with a severe psychiatric disorder (e.g., substance abuse, eating disorder, psychotic disorder)
• Severe visual or auditory difficulties that cannot be corrected with glasses or auditory aids
• Having a medical condition that prevents participation in this study
• Changes in psychotropic medication during the study
• Having been exposed to any extremely traumatic event that is being re-experienced or interfering during the last month
• Body image-related difficulties as indicated by scores above 3 on the Body Image as Source of Shame questionnaire.
• Regular meditation practice in the current moment