Psychiatry Investig.  2023 Mar;20(3):284-292. 10.30773/pi.2022.0312.

Pilot Study About the Effects of the Soma Experiencing Motion (Soma e-Motion) Program on Interoceptive Awareness and Self-Compassion

• Lee MS
• Kim SJ
• Chae JH
• Bhang SY
• Lee M
• Kim HB
• Huh HJ

• KMID: 2540704
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2022.0312

Abstract

Objective
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the Soma experiencing motion (Soma e-motion) program on interoceptive awareness and self-compassion among novices.
Methods
A total of 19 adults (clinical group=9, non-clinical group=10) participated in the intervention. Psychological and physical changes after program were qualitatively analyzed using in-depth interviews. The Korean Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (K-MAIA) and the Korean version of the Self-Compassion Scale (K-SCS) were used as quantitative measures.
Results
The non-clinical group showed statistically significant differences in the K-MAIA scores (z=-2.805, p<0.01) and K-SCS scores (z=-2.191, p<0.05); however, the clinical group showed no significant differences (K-MAIA: z=-0.652, p>0.05; K-SCS: z=-0.178, p>0.05). According to the in-depth interviews, the results of the qualitative analysis were categorized into five dimensions (psychological and emotional, physical, cognitive, behavioral, and aspects participants found challenging and needs improvement).
Conclusion
The Soma e-motion program was feasible for improving interoceptive awareness and self-compassion in the non-clinical group. However, further research is needed to investigate the clinical efficacy of the Soma e-motion program for clinical group.

Keyword

Interoception; Somatics; Self-compassion; Emotion regulation