Body Maps of Sound Pitch and its individual differences in Alexithymia and Depression

Abstract

Sound perception extends beyond the boundaries of auditory sensation, encompassing a profound engagement with the entire human body. This intricate interplay between sound and body sensation has long captivated the interest of researchers. In this study, we examined the relationship between our perception of sound pitch and our bodily position senses, while also exploring the role of emotions in shaping this intriguing cross-modal correspondence. We also compare the topography of pitch-triggered body sensations between depressive, alexithymia, and the control groups, and examine their associations with anxiety. Our findings reveal that individuals with depression and alexithymia experience diffuse and less localized body sensations in response to sound pitch, accompanied by heightened feelings of anxiety and negative emotions. These findings imply that diffuse bodily sensations in response to sound may trigger negative emotions such as anxiety and indicate that monitoring pitch-triggered body sensations could serve as a valuable biomarker for emotional disorders. Our study sheds light on the profound importance of body sense awareness in response to sounds, a phenomenon that may be mediated by interoception. This research enhances our understanding of the intricate relationship between sound, emotions, and the human body, offering insights for potential interventions in emotional disorders.