I feel it in my finger: Measurement device affects cardiac interoceptive accuracy

Jennifer Murphy*, Rebecca Brewer, Michel Pierre Coll, David Plans, Megan Hall, Sound Sound Shiu, Caroline Catmur, Geoffrey Bird

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In recent years, measures of cardiac interoceptive accuracy have been heavily scrutinised. The focus has been on potentially confounding physiological and psychological factors; little research has examined whether the device used to record objective heartbeats may influence cardiac interoceptive accuracy. The present studies assessed whether the device employed influences heartbeat counting (HCT) accuracy and the location from which heartbeats are perceived. In Study One, participants completed the HCT using a hard-clip finger pulse oximeter, electrocardiogram (ECG) and a smartphone application. In Study Two, an ECG, hard-clip and soft-clip oximeter were compared. Moderate-strong correlations were observed across devices, however, mean HCT accuracy and confidence varied as a function of device. Increased sensation in the finger when using a hard-clip pulse oximeter was related to increased accuracy relative to ECG. Results suggest that the device employed can influence HCT performance, and argue against comparing, or combining, scores obtained using different devices.

Original languageEnglish
Article number107765
JournalBiological Psychology
Volume148
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2019

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We are immensely grateful to Micah Allen, Paul Fletcher and James Findon for allowing us to borrow the equipment required to run Study 2. JM was supported by a doctoral studentship from the Economic and Social Research Council [ 1599941 ; ES/J500057/1 ]. GB was supported by the Baily Thomas Trust . MP Coll is funded by a postdoctoral fellowship from the Fonds de Recherche Québec – Santé .

Funding Information:
We are immensely grateful to Micah Allen, Paul Fletcher and James Findon for allowing us to borrow the equipment required to run Study 2. JM was supported by a doctoral studentship from the Economic and Social Research Council [1599941; ES/J500057/1]. GB was supported by the Baily Thomas Trust. MP Coll is funded by a postdoctoral fellowship from the Fonds de Recherche Qu?bec ? Sant?.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 The Authors

Keywords

  • Cardiac interoception
  • ECG
  • Heartbeat counting
  • Interoception
  • Interoceptive accuracy
  • Pulse oximeter

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology

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