The influence of autonomous sensory meridian response on individual’s executive function

Abstract

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a special perceptual phenomenon in which some people can experience a tingling, static-like sensation in response to some certain auditory/visual stimulations. This study compared the performance of executive function (working memory, set shifting, and inhibitory control) between ASMR participants and control participants after three auditory treatment conditions, i.e., ASMR-triggering audio (Triggering), normal-speaking audio (Normal), and with no auditory treatment (Baseline). The results showed that the ASMR individuals did not differ in executive function with the control participants in either Normal or Baseline condition. However, the set shifting and inhibitory control of ASMR individuals slowed down after ASMR-triggering auditory treatment. In this study, ASMR individuals with ASMR-triggering auditory treatment reported that they all experienced three ASMR episodes before completing executive function tasks. These findings indicated that there was no intrinsic difference in executive function between ASMR and control individuals. But ASMR individuals’ executive function would be interfered when the ASMR was triggered.

ASMR‐Experience Questionnaire (AEQ): A data‐driven step towards accurately classifying ASMR responders

“…The measure, like other questionnaire measures of ASMR, suffers from a limitation implied by prior findings, namely that people can show short changes in set shifting and inhibitory control following ASMR induction (Wang, Yang, Sun, & Su, 2020). These changes may influence responses to questionnaires.…”

Autonomous sensory meridian response: Your patients already know, do you?

“…15,16 Another study found that ASMR may interfere with certain aspects of executive function, suggesting that people should not engage in ASMR before performing tasks that require focused attention. 17…”

ASMR as Idiosyncratic Experience: Experimental Evidence

“…Lochte et al [10] using fMRI found that ASMR experiencers showed significant activation in the medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC) associated with self-awareness and social cognition, in the Nucleo Accumbens (NAcc) associated with reward, and in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (dACC) and Insula associated with emotional arousal. Furthermore, Wang et al [11] investigated the influence of ASMR on the performance of executive functions in both ASMR and control individuals, finding that some executive functions of ASMR individuals slowed down after the ASMR video (specifically set shifting and inhibitory control). Finally, recent studies compared brain activity studied through the use of EEG: Fredborg et al [12] examined brain waves related to ASMR through the use of electroencephalography (EEG).…”