Increased misophonia in self-reported Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a sensory experience elicited by auditory and visual triggers, which so far received little attention from the scientific community. This self-reported phenomenon is described as a relaxing tingling sensation, which typically originates on scalp and spreads through a person's body. Recently it has been suggested that ASMR shares common characteristics with another underreported condition known as misophonia, where sounds trigger negative physiological, emotional and behavioural responses. The purpose of this study was to elucidate whether ASMR is associated with heightened levels of misophonia. METHODS: The Misophonia Questionnaire (MQ) was administered to individuals reporting to experience ASMR and to age and gender matched controls. RESULTS: Compared to controls ASMR group scored higher on all subscales of MQ including the Misophonia Symptom Scale, the Misophonia Emotions and Behaviors Scale and the Misophonia Severity Scale. DISCUSSION: Individuals reporting ASMR experience have elevated levels of misophonia.