Refinements of the phase adjustment task (PAT 2.0).

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Physiology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Cardiac interoceptive accuracy is crucial for bodily self-awareness.
• Existing methods for assessing cardiac interoception have limitations.
• The Phase Adjustment Task (PAT) was previously developed for smartphone administration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce significant refinements to the Phase Adjustment Task (PAT).
• To enhance the accuracy, usability, and data interpretation of the PAT.
• To facilitate broader implementation of the PAT in diverse research settings.

Main Methods:

• Heartbeat detection via smartphone camera, replacing algorithmic prediction.
• Technical adjustments for iPhone compatibility and improved user instructions.
• Modified confidence ratings, new practice trials, and an updated analysis approach.

Main Results:

• The refined PAT demonstrates improved methods for assessing cardiac interoceptive accuracy.
• Reanalysis confirms comparable PAT performance in supervised and unsupervised settings.
• New analysis identifies cardiac phase-based heartbeat perceivers more effectively.

Conclusions:

• The updated PAT offers a more robust and accessible tool for measuring cardiac interoception.
• These refinements enhance the reliability and interpretability of PAT data.
• The study provides resources and recommendations for researchers using the PAT.