Journal Article Ppublish
PubMed: 42362487 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.70320
Embodied Interoception Questionnaire (Intero-10): Development, Validation, and Application in People With Neuropathic Chronic Pain.
Eur J Pain 30(6):e70320
Authors: Ana Mércia Fernandes, Vinicius D de Oliveira, Carolina C Dos Santos, Samantha K Millard, Jorge A M P Júnior, Marcell M Barbosa, Pedro N Martins, Suzana C Nogueira, Maercio M Alves, Pedro H M da Cunha, Danielle C Fonseca, Luccas S LaFerreira, Paulo R Santos-Silva, Nayara S Carvalho, Vinícius C Iamonti, Celso R F Carvalho, Camila S Dale, Gabriel T Kubota, Lin T Yeng, Manoel J Teixeira, Abrahão F Baptista, Daniel Ciampi de Andrade
Affiliations
- Pain Center, Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
- Faculty of Medicine of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil.
- Center for Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Surgery of the Digestive System, LIM 35, Department of Gastroenterology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Movement Studies Laboratory, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Division of Pneumology, Instituto do Coração, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Embodied interoception refers to the perception of the body's state and is a multidimensional cognitive process. Pain experience feeds interoceptive networks with information from the state of the body and the subjective experience of pain would be influenced by an individual's trait embodied interoceptive profile.
METHODS
Here we developed and validated the Intero-10, a questionnaire designed to evaluate embodied interoception based on trait interoceptive channels in healthy adults (n = 381) and latter assessed how it relates to neuropathic pain features (n = 86) as a pilot exploratory assessment. The relationship between trait and state interoceptive responses was examined during experimentally evoked interoceptive psychophysicsal tasks, specific to each interoceptive channel.
RESULTS
Trait and state interoceptive scores were correlated only for affective-emotional components (unpleasantness, p < 0.05), but not for intensity ratings, suggesting that the negative valence of momentary lived experience is more stable over time than intensity estimations. The Intero-10 final version included both embodied interoceptive perception intensity (heartbeat, heat, itching, dyspnea, sleep, muscle fatigue and anguish) and unpleasantness (heartbeat, dyspnea and nausea) domains. Intero-10 demonstrated adequate content validity, good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.81), good reliability (> 0.75) and a single-factor structure. Patients with neuropathic pain completed the Intero-10 alongside standard pain, mood, sleep and quality of life assessments. Embodied interoception scores correlated with mood and quality of life and partially mediated the correlation between pain interference and quality of life (β = -0.0093).
CONCLUSION
Specific assessment of embodied interoceptive channels may broaden our current assessment of people with chronic pain and of those at risk to develop it.
SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT
This study introduces the Embodied Interoception Questionnaire (Intero-10), a novel tool to assess how individuals perceive bodily states across distinct interoceptive channels. By capturing both sensory and affective dimensions of interoception, the instrument provides a structured approach to investigate trait-state relationships. Its application in neuropathic chronic pain offers preliminary evidence that embodied interoceptive experience can be systematically quantified, opening new avenues for understanding individual variability and for developing targeted interventions in pain management.
MeSH
Quality Of Life, Chronic Pain, Pain, Sleep, Perception, Interoception, Dyspnea, Neuralgia