Diminished Interoceptive Accuracy in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Psychology

Background:

• Interoception, the sense of the body's internal physiological state, is crucial for self-awareness and regulation.
• Altered interoception is hypothesized to contribute to the development and maintenance of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize existing literature on the relationship between interoception and ADHD symptoms.
• To examine interoceptive differences in individuals diagnosed with ADHD compared to controls.
• To explore the association between ADHD symptom severity and interoceptive abilities in the general population.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus databases.
• Studies were selected based on PRISMA guidelines, with quality assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.
• Interoception was measured using objective methods like the heartbeat-tracking test and subjective self-report questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Three of five studies comparing individuals with and without ADHD found reduced interoception in those with ADHD.
• Twelve studies in the general population indicated a negative association between interoceptive abilities and symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and executive dysfunction.
• Overall study quality was moderate, with limitations including small sample sizes and reporting inconsistencies.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with ADHD may exhibit diminished interoceptive awareness compared to neurotypical individuals.
• Reduced interoception is consistently associated with higher ADHD symptom severity across the general population.
• Targeting interoceptive training could represent a novel therapeutic strategy for managing ADHD symptoms.