ASMR amplifies low frequency and reduces high frequency oscillations
Swart et al., 2022
Main aim
Examining oscillatory changes in EEG triggered by ASMR
Result
ASMR experience may result from high frequency oscillation decreases and low frequency oscillation increases
Body scan meditation enhances the autonomous sensory meridian response to auditory stimuli
Glim et al., 2022
Main aim
Investigating the influence of a body scan meditation on ASMR experience
Result
The ASMR tingling sensation can be enhanced by a prior mindfulness exercise that focuses the attention on the body
Can a Whisper Boost Recall Of Video Advertisements?: Exploring the Effects of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) in Advertising
Sands et al., 2022
Main aim
Examining the effects of ASMR in advertisements by comparing advertisements with ASMR content to advertisements featuring normal audio content
Result
Compared to normal audio advertisement, ASMR advertisement positively affects recall
“No pain, no gain”: The impact of autonomous sensory meridian response on pain perception
Janik McErlean et al., 2022
Main aim
Investigation of the relationship between ASMR and pain perception
Result
ASMR-responders exhibit higher pain sensitivity compared to controls, but no difference with regard to pain tolerance was shown
Reduction of psychological cravings and anxiety in women compulsorily isolated for detoxification using autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR)
Hu et al., 2022
Main aim
Exploring the effects of ASMR on anxiety and psychological cravings of women being isolated for detoxification
Result
ASMR reduced anxiety and attentional bias for drug-related clues in women isolated for detoxification
Similar but different: High prevalence of synesthesia in autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR)
Poerio et al., 2022
Main aim
Generating more information about the association between ASMR and synesthesia
Result
52% of synesthetes were also ASMR-responders, 22% of ASMR-responders were also synesthetes
Sound Quality Factors Inducing the Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response
Shimokura, 2022
Main aim
Comparison of whether human-generated sounds or nature-generated sounds trigger more ASMR
Result
Human-generated sounds were more likely to trigger ASMR when being compared to nature-generated sounds
The awesome as well as the awful: Heightened sensory sensitivity predicts the presence and intensity of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR)
Poerio et al., 2022
Main aim
Exploring the relationship between ASMR and sensory sensitivity
Result
Compared to ASMR-non-responders, ASMR-responders have a greater sensory sensitivity
The effects of autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) on mood, attention, heart rate, skin conductance and EEG in healthy young adults
Engelbregt et al., 2022
Main aim
Examining the effects of ASMR on mood, attention, heart rate, skin conductance and EEG
Result
ASMR has a positive effect on mood and decreases alpha power in ASMR responders; for all participants, a decrease in heart rate was found
The Effects of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) Videos and ASMR Group on State Anxiety
Jairom, 2022
Main aim
Investigation of the effect of ASMR on state anxiety
Result
ASMR-non-responders had higher state anxiety after being exposed to the ASMR video, for ASMR-responders no difference was revealed
The effects of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) videos on arousal and mood in adults with and without depression and insomnia
Smejka & Wiggs, 2022
Main aim
Examination whether ASMR ameliorates mood and minimizes arousal in participants with depression and/or insomnia symptoms
Result
Compared to the ASMR-non-responders and the ambiguous ASMR-responders, ASMR-responders increased their mood and experienced a decrease in arousal after watching an ASMR video (participants in the combined and depression groups benefited the most)
The Effects of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) Videos Versus Walking Tour Videos on ASMR Experience, Positive Affect and State Relaxation
Lohaus et al., 2022
Main aim
Investigating whether ASMR videos are linked to more positive affect, relaxation, and ASMR experience than comparison videos
Result
For ASMR responders, but not for ASMR non-responders, ASMR videos are associated with more positive affect, relaxation and ASMR experience than comparison videos
The role of anomalous perception in Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response
Kilborn et al., 2022
Main aim
Determining if a general propensity to experience anomalous sensations can help explaining ASMR experiences
Result
Mixed support was identified regarding the contribution of anomalous perception to ASMR experiences
Tingles down the spinal cord: A spinal functional magnetic resonance imaging investigation of the autonomous sensory meridian response
Smith et al., 2022
Main aim
Examining the neural substrates of ASMR
Result
During ASMR-related stimuli activity emerged in dorsal (sensory) regions and in ventral (motoric) regions of different spinal cord segments
Touching you, touching me: Higher incidence of mirror-touch synaesthesia and positive (but not negative) reactions to social touch in Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response
Gillmeister et al., 2022
Main aim
Investigating whether ASMR responders exhibit altered tactile processing in comparison to controls
Result
ASMR responders reported on more intense and frequent vicarious touch experiences and showed greater reactivity to positive interpersonal touch
Transfer of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) to Relationship Marketing: Potential Effects on Perceived Customer Intimacy
Pilny et al., 2022
Main aim
Investigating ASMR within the context of relationship marketing focusing on perceived customer intimacy
Result
ASMR may have the ability to positively influence perceived customer intimacy
University students' Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) experiences in the light of a well-being theory
Chan & Uusiautti, 2022
Main aim
Examining the influence of students’ ASMR experiences on well-being
Result
Watching ASMR videos increased the students' well-being
Untangling the tingle: Investigating the association between the Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), neuroticism, and trait & state anxiety
Eid et al., 2022
Main aim
Examining the link between ASMR, trait & state anxiety and neuroticism
Result
1) Compared to ASMR-non-responders, ASMR-responders experience more state anxiety and have higher scores with regard to trait anxiety and neuroticism,
2) In ASMR-responders (but not in ASMR-non-responders) state anxiety was reduced after watching an ASMR video
Unusual experiences and their association with metacognition: investigating ASMR and Tulpamancy
Palmer-Cooper et al., 2022
Main aim
Investigating unusual experiences and metacognition in ASMR-responders and Tulpamancy self-reporters
Result
Higher hallucination-proneness for participants experiencing ASMR and identifying as Tulpamancers compared to the other examined groups, but no difference regarding delusion-proneness; Tulpamancers report fewer metacognitive beliefs compared to the other groups
An electroencephalographic examination of the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR)
Fredborg et al., 2021
Main aim
Examining the neural substrates of ASMR
Result
Alpha wave activity, gamma wave activity and sensorimotor rhythm increased for ASMR-responders (compared to ASMR-non-responders)
ASMR as Idiosyncratic Experience: Experimental Evidence
Pedrini et al., 2021
Main aim
Examining the neurophysiology of ASMR (pupil diameter and brain activity)
Result
Lower arousal level in the ASMR video condition compared to the other conditions; increased pupillary diameter unrelated to the subjective experience of tingles during ASMR video condition
ASMR-Experience Questionnaire (AEQ): A data-driven step towards accurately classifying ASMR responders
Swart et al., 2021
Main aim
Approach to classify ASMR responders with the help of the ASMR-Experience Questionnaire (AEQ)
Result
Five groupings were identified after participants filled out the AEQ questionnaire (ASMR-Strong, ASMR-Weak, Control+, Control-, False-Positive)
Audio-Visual Model for Generating Eating Sounds Using Food ASMR Videos
Uchiyama & Kawamoto, 2021
Main aim
Generating artificial food eating sounds that are indistinguishable from real food eating sounds
Result
It was possible to create artificial eating sounds realistic enough to make participants think that they are real
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response and the Disability Resource Center: An Exploratory Review of Student Perceptions
Lee, 2021
Main aim
Surveying ASMR experiences and whether / how a Disability Resource Center can help people who experience ASMR
Result
40.16 percent of participants experience ASMR, it remains unclear how the Disability Resource Center can help people with ASMR
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response self-reporters showed higher scores for cognitive reappraisal as an emotion regulation strategy
Morales et al., 2021
Main aim
Uncovering differences between ASMR-responders and ASMR-non-responders with regard to emotion regulation strategies
Result
With regard to emotion regulation strategies, for ASMR-responders higher cognitive reappraisal scores were revealed compared to ASMR-non-responders
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response: Individual Differences and Consciousness Correlates
Roberts et al., 2021
Main aim
1) Analyzing the association between ASMR and alterations in consciousness (including mindfulness),
2) validation of the ASMR-15 questionnaire
Result
1) ASMR is linked to altered consciousness, but not to mindfulness,
2) as a measure of ASMR propensity, the ASMR-15 displays decent reliability and validity
Cortical activation changes associated with autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR): Initial case report
Seifzadeh et al., 2021
Main aim
Identifying the impact of ASMR on EEG band power in a single case study
Result
In general, delta band power was reduced (pre versus post ASMR video stimulation) but no differences with regard to theta band power emerged, furthermore more specific changes in different brain regions were revealed
Dark, loud, and compact sounds induce frisson
Koumura et al., 2021
Main aim
1) Testing the individual consistency of frisson (study 1),
2) trying to uncover a link between frisson experience and acoustic features of auditory stimuli (study 2)
Result
1) frisson experience shows a high reliability within a participant,
2) frisson is triggered by proximal sounds featuring compact, dark timbre
Effect of watching autonomous sensory meridian response (AMR) video to heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate in students of architectural engineering, universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Idayati et al., 2021
Main aim
Determining the effects of watching an ASMR video on blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate
Result
Significant decreases with respect to heart rate and blood pressure but not respiratory rate were observed pre-post
Improving mindful attention awareness among Saudi nursing students through autonomous sensory meridian response stimulation
Maniago et al., 2021
Main aim
Determining the effect of three different ASMR interventions on mindful attention awareness
Result
The whispering group and auditory group achieved a greater improvement in mindful attention awareness compared to the personal attention group
Induction of Relaxation by Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response
Sakurai et al., 2021
Main aim
Gaining information on different brain activation (using fMRI) and subjective mood / somatosensation regarding ASMR and classical music stimuli
Result
1) No difference was observed between ASMR and classical music in terms of comfort related mood, but ASMR was associated with higher tingle related mood scores,
2) with regard to brain activity ASMR was associated with more activity in general, especially in the medial prefrontal cortex
Influence of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response on Relaxation States: An Experimental Study
Yusaira & Bennett, 2021
Main aim
Assessing the influence of an ASMR video compared to a control video on relaxation states and stress states
Result
Compared to the control group, the ASMR group shows an increase in sleepiness, but on the other hand a decrease in joy, love & thankfulness and prayerfulness - all other outcomes do not differ between the groups
Storyscaping in fashion brand using commitment and nostalgia based on ASMR marketing
Chae et al., 2021
Main aim
Designing a model offering indications how exposure to ASMR advertising might lead to actual purchasing behaviour
Result
Only about half of the assumed influences in the model are confirmed (ASMR-related commitment influences nostalgia, but nostalgia does mostly not influence brand equity and brand equity mostly does not fully influence behaviour)
A mixed-methods examination of autonomous sensory meridian response: Comparison to frisson
Roberts et al., 2020
Main aim
1. Investigating the relationship between ASMR and frisson;
2. Examining whether an ASMR questionnaire (ASMR-15) predicts ASMR rating in relation to specific videos
No link between ASMR and frisson, ASMR-15 predicts ASMR video ratings
A Study on the Human Body Response to the Sound Stepping on Fallen Leaves in ASMR
Ahn, 2020
Main aim
Sound analysis and effect of a particular ASMR trigger on opinions / feeling and physiological measures
Result
Blood pressure and pulse were normalized after listening to specific ASMR sound (fallen leaves), ASMR sounds were associated with a cool and refreshing feeling
A Study on the Influence of Watching Youtube Sound Content (ASMR) on Youth Learning and Life
Jeong, 2020
Main aim
Examining high school students' ASMR usage behavior
(1. Figuring out how often and why ASMR is watched, 2. which feelings ASMR is associated with, 3. what the impact of ASMR is on everyday life)
Result
ASMR is frequently watched (less than 5 percent never watched ASMR); mostly it is used for studying, sleeping and while eating; feelings especially chosen after watching ASMR are "no difference", "mind peace" and "bored"; with regard to positive impact "psychological stability" and "good for studying" were especially chosen
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response: Sensitivity and Personality Correlates
Roberts et al., 2020
Main aim
1) Analyzing the association between ASMR and personality correlates,
2) validation of the ASMR-15 questionnaire
Result
1) ASMR was linked to higher openness and sensory processing sensitivity scores and to lower conscientiousness scores,
2) the factor structure of the ASMR-15 could be replicated
Effects of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response on the Functional Connectivity as Measured by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Lee et al., 2020
Main aim
Evaluating the effects of ASMR on functional connectivity
Result
Many connections within different networks were greater during ASMR video stimulation (connections between posterior cingulate cortex and superior temporal gyrus, between pregenual anterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex and between right posterior insular cortex and cuneus)
Functional connectivity associated with five different categories of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) triggers
Smith et al., 2020
Main aim
Investigating whether the variation in functional connectivity found in ASMR-responders differs depending on which trigger is used
Result
Unique patterns of functional connectivity were identified for the different ASMR triggers used
Increased absorption in autonomous sensory meridian response
Janik McErlean & Osborne-Ford, 2020
Main aim
Evaluating the difference in absorption, mindfulness and flow levels between ASMR-responders and controls
Result
Higher absorption levels in ASMR-responders compared to controls, no differences with regard to mindfulness or flow
Individuals Who Experience Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response Have Higher Levels of Sensory Suggestibility
Keizer et al., 2020
Main aim
Examining the difference between ASMR-responders and ASMR-non-responders with respect to sensory suggestibility
Result
ASMR-responders compared to ASMR-non-responders display higher sensory suggestibility scores
Proximal Binaural Sound Can Induce Subjective Frisson
Honda et al., 2020
Main aim
Trying to induce frisson (being associated with ASMR) via ASMR typical sounds that are either presented static or moving around the head of the participant
Result
Frisson is experienced more when auditory stimuli are moving around the head instead of being presented without movement (regardless of the presented sound), no correlation between subjective frisson and impulsiveness and anxiety was revealed
Research on the Application of ASMR in the Development and Design of Sleeping Product
Wang & Li, 2020
Main aim
Investigating the influence of a pillow with speakers playing ASMR sounds on the quality of sleep
Result
Less participants reported that they were not able to sleep after the intervention (change from 55.6% before to 11% after the intervention), more participants were able to sleep through the night after the intervention (before: 27.8%; after: 88.9%)
Sexuality vs. sensuality: The multimodal construction of affective stance in Chinese ASMR performances
Starr et al., 2020
Main aim
Content analysis of ASMR videos and S-ASMR (sexual ASMR) videos in terms of video characteristics
Result
The content analysis indicates that a distinction should be made between ASMR and S-ASMR (sexual ASMR), with ASMR in general not providing sexual content
Study on the Health Application of the Snow Stepping Sound
Tian et al., 2020
Main aim
Sound analysis of snow stepping sounds and evaluation of its effect on EEG frequency bands
Result
Snow stepping sounds can reach a frequency similar to the frequency of human vocal cords and might thus be able to be processed by human hearing systems more easily; Snow stepping sounds on the one hand lead to an increase of alpha waves and beta waves, on the other hand to a decrease of delta waves and theta waves
The Impact of Different Sounds on Stress Level in the Context of EEG, Cardiac Measures and Subjective Stress Level: A Pilot Study
Paszkiel et al., 2020
Main aim
Determining the influence of various forms of music (including ASMR-triggering music) on stress levels
Result
Compared to the other conditions, ASMR-triggering music and relaxation music are best for EEG associated stress reduction, but not for other stress-related conditions like heart rate reduction, blood pressure or subjective stress level
The Influence of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) on Individual's Executive Function
Wang et al., 2020
Main aim
Evaluating the difference between ASMR-responders and ASMR-non-responders concerning executive function and determining the potential influence of ASMR on this domain
Result
ASMR-responders and ASMR-non-responders do not differ with regard to executive functions, but an ASMR video can reduce set shifting and inhibitory control abilities in ASMR-responders
A functional magnetic resonance imaging investigation of the autonomous sensory meridian response
Smith et al., 2019
Main aim
Determining the neural substrates of ASMR
Result
ASMR videos are associated with activation in brain areas related to attention, sensation and emotion in participants experiencing ASMR
A Preliminary Compilation of a Digital Video Library on Triggering Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR): A Trial Among 807 Chinese College Students
Liu & Zhou, 2019
Main aim
Composing a selection of ASMR videos that effectively trigger ASMR
Result
60 ASMR videos could be determined that reliably trigger ASMR
A Study on the Human Sensation of the Reed Wind Sound in ASMR
Ahn et al., 2019
Main aim
Sound analysis and effect of a particular ASMR trigger on opinions / feeling and physiological measures
ResultBlood pressure and pulse were normalized after listening to specific ASMR sound (reed wind), ASMR sounds were comforting and relaxing
An eye-tracking approach to Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR): The physiology and nature of tingles in relation to the pupil
Valtakari et al., 2019
Main aim
Investigating pupil diameter and gaze fixation when watching ASMR
Result
Significantly greater pupil diameter during ASMR videos compared to control videos when experiencing tingles (regardless of the group), no significant difference with regard to gaze fixation
Atypical Functional Connectivity Associated with Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response: An Examination of Five Resting-State Networks
Smith et al., 2019
Main aim
Analyzing five resting-state networks with regard to ASMR
Result
ASMR-responders showed a reduced functional connectivity in visual and salience networks; atypical patterns of connectivity emerged for ASMR-responders in the central executive, default mode and sensorimotor networks
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response: An Ineffective Long-Term Therapeutic Intervention
Ditchburn & Bedwell, 2019
Main aim
Establishing a one-week RCT comparing ASMR, mindfulness and no intervention with regard to various mental health associated outcomes
Result
Watching ASMR videos did not improve mental health related outcomes more than the mindfulness intervention and the control group
Possible Effect of Binaural Beat Combined With Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response for Inducing Sleep
Lee et al., 2019
Main aim
1) Testing at which decibel ratio a combination of binaural beat and ASMR triggers is most likely to lead to theta power (associated with sleep) and psychological stability,
2) Examining whether a combination of binaural beat and ASMR triggers leads to better results in terms of inducing theta power and psychological stability than only binaural beat or only ASMR or sham
Result
1) In terms of theta power and psychological stability, stimuli with a decibel ratio of 30:60 (Binaural Beat:ASMR) achieved the best results compared to two other db ratios,
2) ASMR only and combined ASMR with binaural beat resulted in some improvements of psychological stability compared to binaural beat only and sham (e.g.: more calmness, more happiness, less anger); Significant changes in theta power after audio stimulation were observed in all conditions except sham, but in different brain regions
Sensory channel effects of autonomous sensory meridian response on short-term memory
Kim et al., 2019
Main aimEvaluating how ASMR affects short term memory and if there is a difference between ASMR videos / ASMR sounds / a combination of both
Result
Compared to the control content, the ASMR content improved the short term memory results significantly, but only for participants who received the ASMR content auditorily
Two Studies of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR): The Relationship between ASMR and Music-Induced Frisson
Kovacevich & Huron, 2019
Main aim
Study 1: Content analysis of ASMR videos compared to two different types of control videos
Study 2: Content analysis of ASMR videos trying to assign Youtube comments to different categories
Result
Study 1: ASMR videos involve more audio roaming, intimacy and oral wetness cues and less syllable-rate, vocal energy and voicing compared to both kinds of control videos
Study 2: The Youtube comments could be assigned to five different categories: Psychology (rater 1: 1375 / rater 2: 1819), etiology (968/690), physiology (260/290), function (174/224) and "otherwise interesting" (229/411)
Lochte et al., 2018
Main aim
Examining neural correlates associated with ASMR
Result
For ASMR-responders significant activity in areas linked to emotional arousal and reward was observed
Autonomous sensory meridian response: Scale development and personality correlates
Roberts et al., 2018
Main aim
Determining the psychometric criteria of the ASMR-15 conducting three different studies, including
1) internal consistency and validity, and
2) convergent and divergent validity by comparing ASMR to other constructs
Result
1) Sufficient internal consistency and validity was uncovered for the ASMR-15,
2) ASMR was not or hardly correlated with anxiety, absorption, misophonia, frisson, alexithymia and flow and can therefore be considered as an independent construct
Expectancy effects in the Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response
Cash et al., 2018
Main aim
Investigating whether expectation effects are crucial for ASMR experience
Result
Encouraging instructions increased ASMR ratings in naïve participants but not in ASMR enthusiasts
Increased misophonia in self-reported Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response
Janik McErlean & Banissy, 2018
Main aim
Evaluating the association between ASMR and misophonia by comparing ASMR-responders and ASMR-non-responders
Result
ASMR-responders compared to ASMR-non-responders score higher on misophonia for all included misophonia subscales
Mindfulness and autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR)
Fredborg et al., 2018
Main aim
Examining the extent to which ASMR is associated with Mindfulness
Result
ASMR-responders had significantly higher scores than ASMR-non-responders on both included measures of mindfulness
More than a feeling: Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is characterized by reliable changes in affect and physiology
Poerio et al., 2018
Main aim
Study 1: Finding out whether affect and frequency of tingling sensations differ between ASMR-responders and ASMR-non-responders after watching ASMR videos and non-ASMR videos
Study 2: Determining whether ASMR is associated with changes in affect and physiological measures such as heart rate and skin conductance level
Result
Study 1: Only concerning ASMR videos but not concerning control videos ASMR-responders (compared to ASMR-non-responders) experienced more tingling sensations, more calmness and excitement and less sadness and stress after watching ASMR videos
Study 2: 1) Similar results as study 1 with regard to tingling sensations and affect, 2) For ASMR-responders (but not for ASMR-non-responders), while watching ASMR videos skin conductance level went up, while heart rate went down
A Large-Scale Study of Misophonia
Rouw & Erfanian, 2017
Main aim
Determining the characteristics of misophonics revealing a link to ASMR
Result
49 percent of misophonics report ASMR
An Examination of Personality Traits Associated with Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR)
Fredborg et al., 2017
Main aim
Examining which Big Five personality traits are linked to ASMR
Result
ASMR-responders had higher scores on Neuroticism and Openness-to-Experience and lower scores on Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and Extraversion (compared to ASMR-non-responders)
Assessing Individual Variation in Personality and Empathy Traits in Self-Reported Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response
Janik McErlean & Banissy, 2017
Main aim
Investigating the association between personality traits as well as empathy and ASMR
Result
ASMR-responders score higher on Openness to Experience, lower on Conscientiousness and they show greater scores on several facettes of empathy
Sensory determinants of the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR): understanding the triggers
Barratt et al., 2017
Main aim
Gaining information on how ASMR triggers must be designed to trigger ASMR
Result
Several preferable trigger characteristics were revealed: a) ASMR content should be unscripted, b) lower-pitched and natural sounds are preferable, c) mouth sounds and background music should be avoided, d) fine visual detail focus might be essential e) one single trigger is enough for triggering ASMR
Smith et al., 2016
Main aim
Analyzing the default mode network of ASMR-responders
Result
Less overall functional connectivity in the default mode network in ASMR-responders compared to ASMR-non-responders; but ASMR-responders showed increased connectivity in the default mode network between areas in frontal, occipital and temporal cortices (compared to ASMR-non-responders)
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response
Barratt & Davis, 2015
Main aim
Providing a first general quantitative overview on ASMR asking ASMR-responders about their ASMR usage behavior
Result
Main findings include that watching ASMR videos could be related to at least a short-term improvement in mood and chronic pain (for ASMR-responders) and that crisp sounds, personal attention, slow movements, and whispering are common ASMR triggers