Interoceptive Interventions for Posttraumatic Stress: A Systematic Review of Treatment and Interoception Outcomes

Abstract

Interoceptive mechanisms have been implicated in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress (PTS). However, there has been no systematic review of the types and benefits of interoceptive-based interventions for PTS and whether these interventions impact interoceptive mechanisms. The aim of this systematic review was to address these gaps. A search of four databases (Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus) for English-language peer-reviewed literature published between inception and May 11, 2023, yielded 10,488 records and 19 studies eligible for inclusion. Although there was vast heterogeneity in the type, dose, and intensity of the interoceptive interventions, overall, they were efficacious in improving PTS, showing promise for PTS symptom amelioration. Specifically, our findings show that present-focused observation interventions led to short-term symptom relief. In contrast, integrated exercise interventions yielded longer-term symptom relief and improvement in interoceptive-based self-regulation and may present as an efficient augmentation to trauma-focused treatments. Interventions focused on inducing symptom-like interoceptive exposures were also efficacious in decreasing PTS and anxiety sensitivity. Although these results are promising, due to the small number of studies and limited reporting on interoceptive mechanisms, further randomized controlled trials are indicated. Interoceptive-based interventions show promise in the treatment of PTS.