Hunyuan zhuang improves interoception: evidence from an expert-novice study and a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Wenbo Li, Tianxing Liu, Chao Sun
Scientific reports March 3, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-42253-0 via PubMed
Summary
People with expertise in Hunyuan Zhuang, a Chinese practice combining posture, breathing, and focus, show better ability to sense internal body signals (interoceptive accuracy and sensitivity) than novices, and both groups improve during the practice compared to other postures. An eight-week training program in Hunyuan Zhuang also significantly improves these abilities, while a control group shows no change. This suggests Hunyuan Zhuang may be a promising non-drug intervention for interoceptive dysfunction.
Study at a glance
| Design | cross-sectional expert-novice comparative design and randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Population | experts and novices in Hunyuan Zhuang |
| Key finding | Hunyuan Zhuang practice acutely enhances interoceptive accuracy and sensitivity, and eight weeks of training leads to significant improvements in these measures. |
Abstract
Interoceptive dysfunction represents a critical therapeutic target across multiple health domains. Contemporary interventions demonstrate limitations in efficacy and specificity, while traditional mind-body practices present empirically underexplored yet theoretically promising alternatives. This investigation systematically evaluates the psychophysiological effects of Hunyuan Zhuang, a Chinese integrative practice synthesizing postural alignment, respiratory modulation, and cognitive engagement. Two complementary experimental paradigms were implemented to examine acute and longitudinal impacts on interoceptive processing. Study 1 adopted a cross-sectional expert-novice comparative design to assess acute performance advantages in interoceptive accuracy (IAc) and sensitivity (IS) of Hunyuan Zhuang versus contractive/neutral postural conditions. Results demonstrated experts’ superior IAc and IS across conditions, with both cohorts exhibiting acute enhancement during Hunyuan Zhuang compared to control postures. Study 2 employed a randomized controlled trial to investigate 8-week longitudinal training effects. The intervention group manifested significant IAc and IS improvements, whereas controls maintained stable performance. Through mechanistic elucidation, this research advances non-pharmacological interoceptive intervention strategies while establishing empirical foundations for traditional Chinese martial arts. This dual advancement enables integration of ancestral cultivation practices within modern neurocognitive paradigms while maintaining cultural integrity.