Reduction of psychological cravings and anxiety in women compulsorily isolated for detoxification using autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR)

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) on the psychological cravings and anxiety of women compulsorily isolated for detoxification. Method Around 122 women were recruited in a female drug detoxification center. Except for the 12‐week training of ASMR, the experimental conditions of the experimental group ( n = 60) were the same as those of the control group ( n = 62). The addiction Stroop task was used to assess the level of psychological cravings and the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to assess the level of anxiety. Results After the training, the decrease in state anxiety of the experimental group was larger than that of the control group, and the reaction time of the experimental group in the Stroop was also significantly lower than before the training. Conclusions ASMR could thus reduce to a certain extent the state anxiety and attentional bias for drug‐related clues under signaling psychological cravings among women compulsorily isolated for detoxification. HIGHLIGHTS Intervention effects on psychological cravings and anxiety of women isolated for detoxification Basis for role of ASMR in regulating psychological cravings and anxiety in forced abstainers ASMR intervention reduced forced abstainers’ attentional bias to drug‐related clues

Stepping inside the whispers and tingles: multisensory virtual reality for enhanced relaxation and wellbeing

“…Given the acceptability of both VR relaxation and ASMR to people experiencing mental health problems ( 8 , 18 , 19 , 39 ), there is a huge potential for the therapeutic and clinical applications of VR-based ASMR, which could use positive affirmations and coping techniques or guided meditation exercises, among other techniques. With meditation practices, gentle whispering could contribute to the experience of comfort and safety, while immersive VR environments could support individuals in focusing attention on the present moment ( 40 ).…”

“…ASMR can have deeply relaxing and sedating effects while working as a distraction from negative thoughts. Research indicates it can provide temporary relief to anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chronic pain (17)(18)(19). A functional MRI study found that ASMR experience is significantly associated with brain areas involved in emotional arousal, satisfaction, and reward (20).…”

Brain circuits in autonomous sensory meridian response and related phenomena

“…Although ASMR and autism share auditory sensitivity, there is no evidence supporting the association between ASMR and autism [45]. ASMR videos have been reported to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety [1,46].…”

The EEG Oscillations and Psychology Propensities of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response

“…ASMR is suggested to significantly Zhongliang Yu and Zhizhong Wang are with College of Integrated Circuits and Optoelectronic Chips, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518118, China. increase the sleepiness [5] and sleep quality [6], and to decrease the state anxiety and attentional bias to a certain extent [7]. Therefore, many people watch ASMR videos or audios for relaxing, reducing stress and depression, restraining chronic pain, and promoting sleep [8,9].…”