Universität zu Köln

Schmitz, Natalie ORCID: 0000-0002-4892-2085, Wolters, Carolin ORCID: 0000-0002-6252-477X, Rahrbach, Antonia ORCID: 0000-0002-5779-6025, Kälke, Friederike, Witthöft, Michael ORCID: 0000-0002-4928-4222, Gerlach, Alexander L. ORCID: 0000-0001-6794-5349 and Pohl, Anna ORCID: 0000-0002-3761-5768 (2025). Do expectations shape interoceptive perceptions across body domains? A sham EMF study to test the predictive processing theory. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 25 (3). pp. 1-8. Elsevier. ISSN 1697-2600

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Abstract

[Artikel-Nr.: 100609] Objective: According to the principles of predictive processing theory, persistent symptom perception is largely determined by central nervous predictions on somatosensory input. Here, we examine how threat-related ex- pectations shape predictions and interoceptive perceptions across body domains using sham EMF (electromag- netic field) exposure. Methods: Participants (n = 113) were recruited via announcements at the university. Most participants were female (76.1 %) with a mean age of 25.12 years. Participants were divided into two groups (sham EMF on/off). Both groups completed a somatic and a cardiovascular signal detection task (SSDT, cvSDT) in pseudo- randomized order. Sensitivities and response biases were calculated. Self-reports (symptom distress, anxiety) were completed. Group effects were analysed with (M)AN(C)OVAs. In four exploratory regression models response bias and anxiety (state/trait) served as predictors for somatic symptom distress. Results: Participants in the sham EMF group reported significantly higher levels of state anxiety (p = .021, d = 0.44) and, trend-wise, more symptoms during the experiment (p = .065, d = 0.35). Response biases did not differ significantly between the groups (SSDT: p = .782; cvSDT: p = .743). However, higher somatic symptom distress was significantly associated with a more liberal interoceptive response tendency in both tasks in the sham EMF group (two significant models, one trend: (-0.209 ≤ βs ≤ -0.325, adjusted 0.232 ≤ R² ≤ 0.330). Conclusions: A liberal approach was associated with elevated symptom experience across bodily domains and might be considered a transdiagnostic psychopathological risk factor. As research is still scarce, replication studies with valid context manipulations are essential.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Schmitz, Natalie UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4892-2085 UNSPECIFIED Wolters, Carolin UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6252-477X UNSPECIFIED Rahrbach, Antonia UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5779-6025 UNSPECIFIED Kälke, Friederike UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Witthöft, Michael UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4928-4222 UNSPECIFIED Gerlach, Alexander L. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6794-5349 UNSPECIFIED Pohl, Anna UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3761-5768 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-806215
Identification Number:	10.1016/j.ijchp.2025.100609
Journal or Publication Title:	International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology
Volume:	25
Number:	3
Page Range:	pp. 1-8
Number of Pages:	8
Date:	18 July 2025
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	1697-2600
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Human Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Human Sciences > Department Psychologie
Subjects:	Psychology Medical sciences Medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Predictive processing ; Interoception ; Somatic symptom burden ; Response bias ; Cardiovascular signal detection task ; Somatic signal detection task English
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/80621