VisceroHaptics: Investigating the Effects of Gut-based Audio-Haptic Feedback on Gastric Feelings and Gastric Interoceptive Behavior

Gastric interoception influences eating behavior and emotions, making its modulation valuable for healthcare and human-computer-interaction applications. However, whether gastric interoception can be modulated noninvasively in humans remains unclear. While previous research indicates that abdominal-sound-driven haptic feedback resembles gut sensations, its impact on feelings and gastric interoceptive behavior is unknown. We conducted three experiments totalling 55 participants to investigate how gut-sound-driven audio-haptic feedback applied to the stomach (1) affects user’s feelings (2) influences perception of hunger and satiety levels and (3) influences gastric interoceptive behavior, quantified with Water Load Test-II. Results revealed that audio-haptic feedback patterns (a) induced the feelings of hunger, fullness, thirst, stomach upset, (b) increased hunger level, and © significantly increased volumes of ingested water. This work provides the first evidence showing that audio-haptic stimulation can alter gastric interoceptive behavior, motivating the use of noninvasive methods to influence users’ feelings and behaviors in future applications.