Sleeping With ASMR

I am continuing on the theme of identifying videos which might be useful for ASMR and/or producing calming effects to aid in sleep. Focusing primarily on the videos created for an entirely different purpose (of late for education purposes but that is likely to change). Regular readers will understand that a huge part of the point is to produce a playlist which you can play on your phone or tablet whilst trying to get to sleep. Those of you who are new, welcome. The playlist is getting to a reasonable length now and so if you choose the shuffle function on YouTube you should get several hours of listening. I apologise in advance for any blaring YouTube adverts that may interrupt this endeavour. I don’t think that any YouTube employees are reading my blog at the present time or they’d tone it down a bit (well one can hope).

Back to the world of eye exams today. The channel is CHECT UK, it has thirty-one videos so not a huge channel. This video however does not feature in any of the five available playlists. Reviewing the channel’s content available it looks like this is the solitary video which is going to be useful to us in terms of ASMR. Sadly, it looks like today I’m going to be limiting myself to just one video. On the bright side however, this will be a brief blog post which should enable you to rush back to whatever it was you were doing before reading this.

Ophthalmoscopy Video

The notes state it is an “Educational video shared courtesy of Moorfields Eye Hospital”. So it is not a pure exam video as such.

Moorfields eye hospital has its own channel with one hundred and twenty three videos as at today’s date, so this might be something worth exploring in a future blog post.

The people credited in the video are Miss Narcis Okhravi (Consultant in charge of undergraduate education), Miss Rahila Zakir, Miss Andrea Arinelli (Moorfields undergraduate teaching fellows). The crest used is that of Moorfields eye hospital (unsurprisingly). Video and animation is credited to Alan Lacey of W3 media. Production and lighting was Mike Hill of Mike Hill Productions. It was filmed in April 2009 – at last a video with a decent amount of information.

The narration in today’s video is very good in terms of being measured and calm (despite the fact that there is more than one narrator). The female narrator is quieter and so edges the male narrator out in terms of sleepiness inducing effects.

It isn’t designed for this purpose of course – it is designed to instruct someone who intends to take an eye exam and so we are nefarious observers on a video designed for somebody with a different intent.

At nine minutes thirty-two seconds it is not a huge length of video. There is (as usual) a continuous background noise (most likely air conditioning).

There is just one video so I have not created a playlist for CHECT UK.

However, the playlist of all videos covered in the blog so far is here:

I hope you find these videos restful.

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Sleeping With ASMR

One of the aspects of being in the fifth decade is that memory is not what it was. The title meant absolutely nothing to me. Then I discovered that I had encountered it before in this blog, not only that, but I’d defined it as well.

For people, like me who had forgotten ROM and MMT , MMT is manual muscle testing ROM is range of motion. Both of these appear to be occupational therapy terms and look likely to be the subject of future searches for ASMR videos.

The associated text tells us “Jordan Butler: ROM & MMT (gravity resisted & eliminated) upper extremities.”. Given the channel is called Michelle Hanigan I am assuming that Jordan Butler is the “patient” in this one.

The Michelle Hanigan channel has no playlists but that should not be a problem for us on this occasion as there are only two videos in it, the featured one is this:

ROM & MMT

As the video opens it’s pretty obvious this is not a typical work environment – sofa – immense TV – modern looking occasional table – almost certainly domestic. I’m assuming that this is some kind of video put together by a student of occupational therapy. It does not have the appearance of one of those videos discussed previously which is professionally composed in order to mimic a medical examination.

The sound quality isn’t fantastic. Although Michelle has a good voice it’s a bit muted in this recording, probably resulting from use of a remote rather than a lapel mic.

Michelle seems to be consulting notes off camera on a few occasions which I think reinforces the view that this is part of a learning experience. In addition, at intervals they both seem to be trying not to laugh. The person holding the “camera” makes the odd noise occasionally – I think that confirms the video isn’t a professional effort. Also at the end the dog makes an appearance.

Despite the sound limitations I think this is a good one ASMR-wise and worthy of inclusion in the playlist.

The second video is this one:

Movement Video

To be honest this seems to be a shorter version of the previous video (this one is ten minutes twenty six seconds the previous one is fourteen minutes twelve seconds)

On that basis there is no point in including this one in the playlist as well.

As there is only one video on this occasion, I will not create a Michelle Hanigan playlist. However, the ROM & MMT video I will add to the overall list of ASMR videos covered so far in this blog, which is here:

I hope that you’re still finding them restful.

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Sleeping With ASMR

I came to this one largely because everyone else seemed to be saying this was great for ASMR. (See some of the comments beneath this video). I have to say it’s a bit marginal for me and I am considering discounting it from the playlist.

However, given how much feedback there seems to be, I am sharing it with you as it is probable you will get some positive effect from it. Carol Joy features as the person giving treatment and we are told that she is an “Integrative Medicine nurse”. I’m not really abreast of nursing specialities however a brief search indicates it to be “A state of well-being in mind, body and spirit that reflects the individual, community and population.”

Acupressure for Family and Friends

As I say Carol’s voice is not quite right for me but a number of people find this video helpful. In this Carol refers to SEVA – an act of selfless service.

UMMCVideos is the channel. This turns out to be the University of Maryland Medical Center – the downside for a brief blog item is that there are really a very large number of videos in here. There are also no less than seventy four playlists as at today’s date. It looks like we need to focus in a different way, in this case I think focusing on Carol Joy is an approach.

A basic YouTube Search indicates a channel sruthy sek which has a Carol Joy playlist

however this contains two hundred and twenty five videos – hardly helpful in narrowing down the videos.

ASMR Loopz has prepared a loop video

ASMR Loop: Acupressure – Unintentional ASMR – 1 Hour

It’s an hour long – and I really do not like loop videos.

However, there are two further Carol Joy videos

Acupressure for Yourself

The comments really exalt Carol’s ability to be properly relaxing. But for some reason her voice does not do this for me. I have no idea why. The ingredients are there – it’s quiet, there is no background noise, I would imagine I should be off to sleep. In fact, I find myself looking for the next video.

I’m sure a great many people reading this will have a more positive reaction and this is why I am featuring it.

Guided Meditation – A Step by Step Video

Again, the comments are very positive. The sort of comments some of the videos I have featured so far I felt deserved rather than the nastiness that they actually got. However, it just doesn’t work for me.

On that basis I have created a Carol Joy playlist, which is here:

But I won’t be updating the overall Procrastination Pen playlist

However, the Archive playlist (created of videos that I featured in the blog but on review felt were not quite good enough to make the grade) now contains these three videos.

I hope that you find the playlists relaxing.

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Sleeping With ASMR

This time the video is more of an instruction manual. Merck Manuals is the channel which gives you a clue.

This is a comprehensive channel with a large number of videos which I am not going to attempt to count. It is about two hundred and ten as at today’s date.

That leaves a dilemma as to which set of videos to choose. Fortunately Merck Manuals also provide a set of playlists (twenty two of these as at today’s date) and ours occurs in a playlist called The Ortho Exam – Merck Manual Professional Version.

This channel has so much material I suspect we will be back here before I am very much older.

Today’s video is this one:

How to Examine the Hand | Merck Manual Professional Version

The Ortho Exam – Merck Manual Professional Version

Which helpfully tells us “Examination demonstrated by Paul Liebert, MD, Tomah Memorial Hospital.”

The funky intro music is not exactly brilliant for ASMR however the narrator has a great voice for this purpose. It is nicely relaxing in fact.

This one belongs in the Procrastination Pen playlist.

There are ten videos in the Ortho Exam – Merck Manual Professional Version playlist. This number is a bit large for a blog post (well history tells me anyway). If you can’t wait for the playlist, scroll right to the end where it will be waiting for you. The above is video four in this playlist, leaving nine videos.

How to Examine the Shoulder | Merck Manual Professional Version

The great thing with these videos is that they are consistent, demonstrated by the same person, narrated by the same person and consistently calm and quiet. They are more-or-less ideal for our purposes.

Note that erythema comes up in this video which is a redness of the skin.

This is also going to find a home in the playlist.

How to Examine the Elbow | Merck Manual Professional Version

Epicondyle is a bit more complex – here it is referring to the rounded part of the bone on the elbow.

Definitely a playlist candidate.

How to Examine the Wrist | Merck Manual Professional Version

There is a growing amount of medical terminology the more we go on with these videos. Those with more of an interest than simply a sleep aid may find this helpful:

Human arm bones diagram

How to Examine the Hand | Merck Manual Professional Version

This is where we came in. By now we can see that not only do we have the same intro music, same examiner and same narrator to a large extent we also have the same “patient”. I like consistency when I’m aiming for a restful experience – your mileage may vary.

How to Examine the Hip | Merck Manual Professional Version

This one seems to be considerably quieter which might be distracting, especially if you have the volume right down in order to aid sleep. On balance I think it still deserves inclusion in the playlist though.

How to Examine the Knee | Merck Manual Professional Version

What strikes me with this one is the complexity of the system. The number of nerves, ligaments, muscles and tendons needed just to get normal motion is quite amazing and something I hadn’t considered before. Probably not wise to be thinking that as you’re trying to doze off. This will also be in the playlist.

How to Examine the Ankle | Merck Manual Professional Version

The close-up shots and the distant shots here seem to be of two different patients. The close-up ones I would guess are of a male patient. (In at least some of the shots in any case). However, if you’re half asleep I suspect you will not notice.

I’m also going to add this to the playlist.

How to Examine the Foot | Merck Manual Professional Version

Our male foot patient is back initially, we go to the female patient subsequently. The only downside of such videos (if you’re awake enough to notice) is that you can start to consider if you have any of the problems described. Who doesn’t have uneven wear in their footwear for instance?

This is also going in the playlist.

How to Examine the Neck | Merck Manual Professional Version

This refers to other manuals videos. Given how consistent this set is I think this is an invitation we can’t help but take up at some future date in any case. Another one for the playlist then.

How to Examine the Back | Merck Manual Professional Version

The most consistent set of videos so far in this blog series. All of them I think deserve to be in the playlist.

The Merck Manuals playlist is here:

The overall playlist for items featured in this blog is here:

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Sleeping With ASMR

This channel was recommended in some comments to another ASMR video. This may or may not work out for the best. I search all over the place for inspiration. It is not until I have had a chance to listen to any of the videos that I understand whether the recommendation produces a complete loss (In terms of The Procrastination Pen playlist). This sort of thing happens all the time. On that note feel free to recommend to me any ASMR videos that you have found helpful. It might be that they will turn up in a future blog article.

The channel this time is sebsss it contains four videos so a nice number for one blog post. The fourth video seems to be a drinking video so not really on message for a medical examination focus. Perhaps it will feature in the future if I ever move onto drinking ASMR. The videos range from twelve to ten years ago in terms of posting. The drinking video is twelve years ago and seems a nostalgic portrayal probably only of interest to those who were there.

This leaves three all of which are more recent than the drinking video. These three maybe more suitable for a blog of this type:

Tobradex Patient Teaching

This is the most recent video which was posted ten years ago. However, the sound quality is not great. The speaking is a bit fast. Rapport does not seem to be there. There is really nothing calming or relaxing about this particular presentation. If anything, I was just waiting for it to be over.

Not in the least ASMR stimulating so this one will not be in the playlist

Head to Toe

This video was posted eleven years ago. There are no notes with this one, however the medical professional from the above video appears as the “patient” in this one. Here he appears as “Tom Smith” – whether genuinely or not (Smith being a common obfuscation name). The presentation is a little busy – we’ve seen this before and it seems to be a characteristic of assessment videos – i.e. those produced by students as part of their course.

I think the medical professional introduces himself as “Matt” (something) and that he will be the “Senior” but it is all a bit jumbled and I may well be wrong.

There appear to be no clues as to the location other than the crucifix on the wall and I guarantee searching for “Tom Smith” isn’t going to get me any further.

Given Tom Smith is in a number of these videos I’d make a guess this is his channel.

The background noise is a bit high on this one. It takes a while to settle down but once the examination is under way it isn’t terrible.

Not Hollie Berry standard but worthy of inclusion in The Procrastination Pen playlist I think.

Head to Toe Assessment

The background noise is as intrusive as the last one. As with the previous video there are some good moments. Tom Smith as the patient again – but a different medical professional this time Melissa. This video is also posted eleven years ago. Again there are no notes to guide as to which establishment this is. Sadly the badge on the shoulder of Melissa is a little too small and out of focus to be useful. The letters seem to be HNMC school of nursing with the nearest establishment I can find as Holy Name Medical Centre. Great I thought – crucifix – holy name. Only their symbol is a dove not a purple cross and the only Melissa I can find there is not this Melissa.

Again I think it belongs in the playlist – but I think an edited version would be even better (particularly if it was feasible to smooth out that background noise).

Overall not as terrible as at first thought, although all of these are now subject to review and I am producing an archive list of items once in the main playlist but upon reflection don’t quite meet the grade.

(This offers regular readers the opportunity to still find their favourites).

The Tom Smith playlist is here:

The overall playlist which contains the majority of videos featured in this blog is here:

The videos which failed the grade on review are now in this archive list here:

I hope that you find these playlists relaxing

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Sleeping With ASMR

The video quality for this one is a tad poor. And perhaps I don’t mean a tad. However it is quite different to what we have had before and it is partly because of its age and its purpose. This one is recorded (to video cassette tape I assume) in 1996 and reflects its time I think.

The sound quality is actually not as bad as in some of the other videos I have already featured on this blog (and no doubt many to come). There is no loud equipment noises in the background for example.

It is designed to inform/educate and as such is calm and unadulterated by extraneous sounds (such as a snazzy backing track for example). It’s recorded at the University of Michigan – Department of Neurology, February 16th 1996.

The Neurologic Exam part 1

This video is of sufficient quality that it crops up in a number of ASMR video compilations which are the kind of ASMR videos I do not watch anymore. It is too much like a box of sweets in which a good twenty percent of the sweets you do not like. Compilation videos are complicated by the fact that no one seems to be able to get the inter-clip volumes to agree. If you start off at a quiet sleep-friendly volume you can be woken sometime later by an individual with a predisposition to bellow. This is John Wald and Douglas Gelb in a demonstration of how to run a Neurologic Exam but who (presumably inadvertently) have good voices for ASMR. In this I feel that Douglas edges out John slightly. Which is good news because in this video he also does the majority of the talking.

Johnwaldmd is the channel (presumably the John Wald MD in the video footage although somewhat more advanced in years I would suggest). I’m guessing a great many of the people who watch the ASMR video compilations were probably as yet unborn when this video was first recorded.

There are only seven videos in this channel and it is obvious that we will not be looking at many of those; some of them appear to appeal to quite a narrow audience (probably family and friends).

I think we can consign four of these into the metaphorical ASMR bin without further review, leaving the above one and two others. Part two of the above presentation:

The Neurologic Examination part 2

This is the “review” section which effectively is giving instruction on how to perform the neurologic exam. In my view this is not as wonderful from an ASMR perspective so I think it won’t make the grade for the playlist.

There is also this video:

VTS 01 0

This is both silent and only 30 seconds long so it may have been some kind of test…

So one video only this time around folks.

On that basis I have not created a playlist for johnwaldmd.

The overall playlist containing all the videos featured in this blog is here:

I hope that you find it relaxing.

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Sleeping With ASMR

I realise that for people who have not been following (the ASMR theme on) this blog since the beginning might find this to be nonsense. For such people, a bit of background. With each blog article I review a video (mostly videos located on YouTube) for its ability to either produce ASMR symptoms or to be restful enough to aid in sleep. At the end of which the video either gets added to The Procrastination Pen playlist or it does not. The assumption is that ASMR aficionados will just go straight to the playlist and listen, but some of you may like to read the material before doing that.

For an idea of where this all began take a look at the initial ASMR blog post which will give you an idea.

I think we are on more solid ground today as this one is back firmly in the medical exam area.

The channel is Ryann McCarty and sadly for us is not going to be a rich resource of ASMR material. In fact, there is one playlist of music videos entitled Rye and the video that we are featuring today entitled:

Ryann McCarty Student Nurse health assessment performance

So this is all you get today I’m afraid – look at it as an appetiser – keeping you keen to see yet more. (Yes, that didn’t sound that accurate to me either). Posted in 2017 and nothing posted on this channel subsequently. (The music playlist was last updated in 2020). Hopefully Ryann is out there doing more important things with her life. The sleeve badge seems to be for Suny Downstate College of Nursing, only sometime subsequently they’ve had a rebrand.

Ryann announces herself at the beginning so we’re pretty certain this is the Ryann we’re talking about. Initially her voice is a bit loud but once the examination starts it begins to settle down (although I don’t think she will ever be a Hollie Berry).

At intervals, (despite the constant air conditioning sounds in the background) I found myself quite calmed by it.

At one stage the person behind the camera starts laughing which is a little disconcerting. (It is easy to forget that there will always be a third person in each of these one-to-one encounters due to the presence of the camera).

I also liked the comment about cold hands – one feature of using alcohol-based hand sanitiser is that your hands get properly freezing – although in other videos I have featured in the past the medical professional does warn the patient about the incoming iceberg.

The notes state “Week 6 lab- Final health assessment performance”. I’m not sure how the education process works but if Ryann achieved this level of proficiency after merely 6 weeks of education then I am impressed.

In all quite a charming short piece at twenty minutes and fourteen seconds. Worthy of adding to the Procrastination Pen playlist I think.

The overall playlist of all videos featured so far in this blog is here:

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