title: The effect of acupressure at the extra 1 point on subjective and autonomic responses to needle insertion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Premedication with sedatives can decrease the discomfort associated with invasive anesthetic procedures. Some researchers have shown that acupressure on the acupuncture extra 1 point is effective for sedation. We investigated whether acupressure on the extra 1 point could alleviate the pain of needle insertion.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the effect of acupressure at the extra 1 point or a sham point on needle insertion using verbal rating scale (VRS) pain scores and heart rate variability (HRV). Twenty-two healthy female volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups: the extra 1 group received acupressure at the extra 1 point, and the sham group received acupressure at a sham point. After starting the electrocardiogram record, a 27-gauge needle was inserted into the skin of a forearm. Thereafter, another needle was inserted into the skin of the other forearm during acupressure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acupressure at the extra 1 point significantly reduced the VRS, but acupressure at the sham increased the VRS. Acupressure at the extra 1 significantly reduced the low frequency/high frequency ratio of HRV responding to needle insertion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupressure at the extra 1 point significantly reduced needle insertion pain compared with acupressure at the sham point. Also, acupressure at the extra 1 point significantly reduced the low frequency/high frequency ratio of HRV responding to needle insertion, which implies a reduction in sympathetic nervous system activity.
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Aichi Medical University, 21 Karimata, Nagakutecho, Aichigun, Aichi 480-1195, Japan. arainon@aichi-med-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Young-Chang P
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Arai
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ushida
authors.forename: Tomoaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Osuga
authors.forename: Takako
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsubara
authors.forename: Kahori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oshima
authors.forename: Kana
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawaguchi
authors.forename: Chiaki
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kuwabara
authors.forename: Sigeya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakao
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: Chihiro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Furuta
authors.forename: Erina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aida
authors.forename: Shugyoku
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ra
authors.forename: Yui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takagi
authors.forename: Kyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watakabe
mesh_terms: D019050:Acupressure; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement