The Influence of Acupressure at Extra 1 Acupuncture Point on the Spectral Entropy of the EEG and the LFHF Ratio of Heart Rate Variability

Abstract EN

Acupressure applied on the Extra 1 acupuncture point results in sedation, thereby reducing bispectral index (BIS) values.

Mental status and hypnotic agents influence the autonomic nervous system.

We hypothesized that acupressure at the Extra 1 point would induce sedation and change sympatho-parasympathetic nerve balance.

We investigated the effect of acupressure at the Extra 1 point on the EEG spectral entropy values and heart rate variability (HRV).

Forty-eight volunteers (24 males and 24 females) were randomly assigned to the control or Extra 1 group.

The control group received acupressure at a sham point and the Extra 1 group received acupressure at the Extra 1 point.

Acupressure was applied for 5 min.

The record of the EEG spectral entropy values and HRV started 5 min before acupressure and stopped 5 min after acupressure.

Acupressure significantly reduced the EEG spectral entropy values in both groups, but the values of the Extra 1 group were significantly smaller than those of the control group (P < .01).

Acupressure significantly decreased the LF/HF ratio of HRV in both groups (P < .05).

When divided upon gender, although acupressure tended to decrease the LF/HF ratio, the ratio significantly decreased during and after acupressure only in females of the Extra 1 group (P < .05).

We concluded that acupressure on the Extra 1 point significantly reduced the EEG spectral entropy in both the genders, but affected the LF/HF ratio of HRV only in females.