SummaryMovement and haemodynamic responses to noxious stimuli during general anaesthesia are regarded as signs of nociception. We compared the Nociceptive Flexion Reflex Threshold (NFRT), Bispectral Index (BIS), Composite Variability Index (CVI), Noxious Stimulation Response Index (NSRI) and the calculated propofol ⁄ remifentanil effectcompartment concentrations (Ce) as predictors for such responses in 50 female subjects at laryngeal mask airway insertion and skin incision. Although the cerebral effect of hypnotics may be monitored using processed electroencephalography, no comparable monitor exists to measure nociception during general anaesthesia. In clinical practice, opioids are administered according to haemodynamic and movement responses to noxious stimuli [1].The correlation of such responses with the hypnotic depth as measured by the bispectral index (BIS) is relatively poor [2,3]. The composite variability index (CVI), which is derived from the BIS, may provide a better correlation and whereas promising results are presented in abstract form [4,5], no full research paper has yet been published.The nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) is a polysynaptic spinal withdrawal reflex, which can be assessed by electromyography of the biceps femoris muscle