The therapeutic values of autonomous sensory meridian response: a scoping review

Abstract

Background: Autonomous sensory meridian response is a tingling sensation one may feel in the skull and spine in response to a variety of visual, aural or tactile stimuli such as finger tapping, crisp sounds, pencil scumbling and more. Objective: This review hopes to provide insights and motivations for more empirical studies and research to unveil the plentiful possibilities of autonomous sensory meridian response. Specifically, this scoping review aims to synthesize the current knowledge on ASMR in terms of the clinical effect, mechanism, target population trait and its future development. Data Sources: A systematic electronic literature search from the inception of the databases to 1st September 2020 was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Medline and Web of Science. Cochrane Library, Open Grey, and ProQuest Dissertation and Theses were reviewed for grey literature. This review covered studies written in English only with no time span constraints. Review Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework will be referred to aid the presentation of results. The JBI data extraction form for scoping review will be adapted and used for extraction, and data will be presented in a table format. A summary table was presented stating the essential details: authors, year, country of origin, method, sample size / population, outcomes and findings related to research questions. Results: Autonomous sensory meridian response was proven to have therapeutic effects on its experiencers, be in elevation in mood, improvement of anxiety and sleep quality.