On this page we would like to present some of our research projects on ASMR that have already been carried out as well as some that are planned for the future.
We first start with the already successfully implemented ASMR projects:
1) Preparation of a systematic scientific review on ASMR
Recently, a central project was to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on the topic of ASMR. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic search via several literature databases, ultimately summarizing and integrating the results in a review paper. The conclusion of the systematic review is that ASMR has already been associated with several mental health variables (e.g., improved mood) and personality traits (e.g., neuroticism). EEG and fMRI studies also show interesting initial findings (increased alpha waves in the EEG, activation of specific brain areas such as insula and nucleus accumbens during ASMR experience). In addition, ASMR has already been associated with physiological changes such as a reduction in heart rate. However, lacking to date are long-term intervention studies that would show that ASMR can also be associated with improvements in mental health over longer periods of time.
2) Examining the impact of ASMR videos on mental health variables (mood and relaxation) compared to other YouTube videos (walking tour videos)
In a study conducted from the end of 2021 to the beginning of 2022, predominantly involving students of the Ruhr-University Bochum, we investigated whether ASMR videos are more strongly associated with positive mood, relaxation and ASMR experience than comparable videos (so-called walking tour videos, i.e. videos in which people film their walk through a certain area and thus "take" the viewer to a distant place). The study found that people who watched ASMR videos and experienced ASMR were particularly likely to benefit. These people ("ASMR responders") reported higher levels of relaxation and higher levels of positive affect compared to people who watched walking tour videos. In contrast, people who did not experience ASMR ("ASMR non-responders") showed lower levels of relaxation and positive affect compared to people who watched walking tour videos. Thus, future scientific evaluation of ASMR should definitely consider the distinction between ASMR responders and ASMR non-responders when examining the effects of ASMR on mental health.
Next, we would like to present ASMR projects planned for the future or currently implemented:
1) More precise investigation of a possible link between ASMR and mental health and social cognition
The goal of this currently conducted study at the Ruhr University in Bochum is to generate more precise information about what measures of mental health and social cognition ASMR is related to. If you are interested in participating, Janika Stein (janika.stein@rub.de) or Pia Neumann (pia.neumann@rub.de) can be contacted (to participate it is necessary to speak German fluently).
2) Investigation of the personality of ASMR-YouTubers and the influence of ASMR-YouTubers on the ASMR experience
Starting in early 2023, a study will be launched to find out more about ASMR video performers and their personality as well as their contribution to the ASMR experience. Since ASMR video performers obviously contribute a great deal to the ASMR experience of the viewers, it definitely seems reasonable to shift the perspective from the viewers to the performers for the first time in ASMR research. Specifically, an online questionnaire is to be implemented in which videos of different ASMR performers, who act with stimuli that are as identical as possible, are to be assessed by participants with regard to the ASMR experience.
3) Implementation of a comprehensive ASMR intervention study
A prospective aim would be to implement a comprehensive ASMR randomized controlled trial (RCT) that contrasts an ASMR video intervention administered over several weeks with one or more comparison interventions. Only if such research is implemented conclusions can be derived about whether ASMR might have a long term positive impact on mental health.