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. 2011:2011:503698.
doi: 10.1093/ecam/nen061. Epub 2011 Feb 17.

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

Young-Chang P Arai  1 , Takahiro Ushida, Takako Matsubara, Kazuhiro Shimo, Hiroshi Ito, Yuko Sato, Yoshiko Wakao, Toru Komatsu
Affiliations

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

Young-Chang P Arai et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011.

Abstract

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.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The locations of Extra 1 and sham points.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes in state entropy value. Data are presented as mean (SD). Filled square, control group; filled circle, Extra 1 group. *Significantly different from control value (P < .05). †Significantly different from control group (P < .05).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes in state entropy value in each gender, males (a) and females (b). Data are presented as mean (SD). Filled square, control group; filled circle, Extra 1 group. *Significantly different from control value (P < .05). †Significantly different from control group (P < .05).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Changes in response entropy value. Data are presented as mean (SD). Filled square, control group; filled circle, Extra 1 group. *Significantly different from control value (P < .05). †Significantly different from control group (P < .05).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Changes in response entropy value in each gender, males (a) and females (b). Data are presented as mean (SD). Filled square, control group; filled circle, Extra 1 group. *Significantly different from control value (P < .05). †Significantly different from control group (P < .05).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Changes in HR. Data are presented as mean (SD). Filled square, control group; filled circle, Extra 1 group.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Changes in HR in each gender, males (a) and females (b). Data are presented as mean (SD). Filled square, control group; filled circle, Extra 1 group.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Changes in the LF/HF ratio. Data are presented as mean (SD). Filled square, control group; filled circle, Extra 1 group. *Significantly different from control value (P < .05). †Significantly different from control group (P < .05).
Figure 9
Figure 9
Changes in the LF/HF ratio in each gender, males (a) and females (b). Data are presented as mean (SD). Filled square, control group; filled circle, Extra 1 group. *Significantly different from control value (P < .05). †Significantly different from control group (P < .05).
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