The Interoceptive Sensitivity and Attention Questionnaire: Evaluating Aspects of Self-Reported Interoception in Patients With Persistent Somatic Symptoms, Stress-Related Syndromes, and Healthy Controls. Issue 2 (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bogaerts, Katleen; Walentynowicz, Marta; Van Den Houte, Maaike; Constantinou, Elena; Van den Bergh, Omer
• Is Part Of: Psychosomatic medicine. Volume 84:Issue 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: interoception -- symptom perception -- attention -- panic -- functional physical symptoms -- ASI = Anxiety Sensitivity Index -- BAQ = Body Awareness Questionnaire -- BPQ = Body Perception Questionnaire -- CFA = confirmatory factor analysis -- CFI = comparative fit index -- CFS = chronic fatigue syndrome -- CLQ = Claustrophobia Questionnaire -- EFA = exploratory factor analysis -- FM = fibromyalgia -- IA = interoceptive accuracy -- IBS = irritable bowel syndrome -- IS = interoceptive sensibility -- ISAQ = Interoceptive Sensitivity and Attention Questionnaire -- MAIA = Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness -- MUD = medically unexplained dyspnea -- PCS = Pain Catastrophizing Scale -- PD = panic disorder -- PSWQ = Penn State Worry Questionnaire -- PTQ = Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire -- RMSEA = root mean square error approximation; Medicine, Psychosomatic -- Periodicals; 616.0805
• DOI: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000001038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-3174

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective: This study aimed to validate the Interoceptive Sensitivity and Attention Questionnaire (ISAQ), a 17-item self-report measure assessing sensitivity and attention to interoceptive signals. Methods: In study 1, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed in a student convenience sample ( n = 1868). In study 2, ISAQ data of a healthy sample ( n = 144) and various patient groups experiencing stress-related syndromes (overstrain, n = 63; burnout, n = 37; panic disorder [PD]. n = 60) and/or persistent somatic symptoms in daily life (irritable bowel syndrome, n = 38; fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome, n = 151; medically unexplained dyspnea [MUD], n = 29) were compared. Results: Three subscales were revealed: (F1) sensitivity to neutral bodily sensations, (F2) attention to unpleasant bodily sensations, and (F3) difficulty disengaging from unpleasant bodily sensations. Overall, patients with fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome and patients with MUD scored significantly higher on F1 ( p = .009 and p = .027, respectively) and F2 ( p = .002 and p < .001, respectively) than healthy controls. Patients with PD had higher scores on subscales F2 ( p < .001) and F3 ( p < .001) compared with healthy controls, as well as higher scores on F2 compared with all other patient groups ( p PD versus MUD = .008; all other p values < .001). Conclusions: Interoceptive sensibility—the self-reported aspect of interoception—is not a homogeneous or unitary construct. The subscales of the ISAQ differentiate healthy controls from patients with persistent somatic and/or stress-related complaints in daily life and distinguish different patient groups. The ISAQ can be used as a concise, reliable, and clinically relevant research tool to further disentangle adaptive and maladaptive aspects of interoceptive ability. Abstract : Supplemental digital content is available in the text.