Interoceptive Attentiveness induces significantly more PFC activation during synchronized tasks as revealed by functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)

Embodied awareness exercises incorporating Interoceptive Attentiveness (IA) have been shown to provide cognitive, affective, and motor benefits, and these effects have been associated with activation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, it has yet to be determined whether, in order to empower the PFC neural substrate, these interoceptive exercises should be performed at rest or during a specific cognitive task. This study explored the effects of an IA condition combined with a simple breath, motor, and cognitive synchronization task on PFC hemodynamics. During the explicit IA and control conditions, healthy participants conducted breath, motor, and cognitive synchronization tasks, while oxygenated (O2Hb) hemoglobin concentration was measured using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). Greater levels of O2Hb were found in the PFC during the explicit IA compared to the control condition. This effect was especially found in the cognitive task compared to the simple breath and motor synchronization tasks. This research has implications for rehabilitation professionals who use therapeutic treatments (speech therapy and physiotherapy), as it suggests that combining IA with a cognitive synchronization task (e.g., a simultaneous vocal exercise) can boost PFC responsiveness.