ISPUB.COM The Internet Journal of Neuromonitoring Volume 4 Number 1 1 of 6 The Effect of Acupressure on the Bispectral Index and Entropy Parameters in Mentally Handicapped Humans: A Pilot Study G Schwarz, G Litscher, L Wang, A Schoepfer, I Roetzer Citation G Schwarz, G Litscher, L Wang, A Schoepfer, I Roetzer. The Effect of Acupressure on the Bispectral Index and Entropy Parameters in Mentally Handicapped Humans: A Pilot Study. The Internet Journal of Neuromonitoring. 2004 Volume 4 Number 1. Abstract In the following pilot study, we give the first description of the effect of acupressure on the bispectral index (BIS), response entropy (RE), state entropy (SE), as well as on the emotional state of persons with congenital and acquired mental disabilities. A decrease in BIS readings (n=4) during acupressure was shown: the minimal decrease was 12%, the maximal decrease was 39%. The entropy readings (n=3) showed a minimal decrease of RE at 6% and of SE at 7%. The maximal decrease of RE was 76%, of SE 71%. After cessation of acupressure, all readings returned to almost the level that had been prior to the application of acupressure. All volunteers (n=5) found the effect of the acupressure to be comfortably relaxing; 3 volunteers experienced a feeling of tiredness, and 2 of these 3 entered intermittent short sleep phases. The results of the study presented here indicate that acupressure, when applied at appropriate pressure points, can aid in the peri-interventional phase a reduction of stress for mentally disabled humans. However, further development in the method is necessary for perioperative use, because the suppressive effect on bioelectrical activity remains limited to the active phase of acupressure. INTRODUCTION Monitoring of the bispectral index (BIS) offers an infinite number of possibilities to better assess cerebral activity under the influence of narcotics and sedatives ( 1 ). BIS readings ranging from 100 to 90 reflect awareness; BIS readings between 90-60, respectively 65, a sedative state. BIS readings under 60 are adequate for anaesthesia during surgery. BIS values < 40 should indicate a deep state of anesthesia (see fig.1).