Theta band brainwaves in human resting EEG modulated by mobile phone radiofrequency

International journal of radiation biology · 2023 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 518

In 21 healthy volunteers exposed to a 900 MHz GSM mobile phone RF-EMF signal (SAR 0.49 W/kg averaged on 10 g; 0.70 W/kg on 1 g), delta and beta rhythms were not affected, while theta brainwaves were significantly modulated during exposure. The theta modulatio…

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of radiation biology · 2023

Study typeother

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Theta band brainwaves in human resting EEG modulated by mobile phone radiofrequency Wallace J, Shang W, Gitton C, Hugueville L, Yahia-Cherif L, Selmaoui B. Theta band brainwaves in human resting EEG modulated by mobile phone radiofrequency. Int J Radiat Biol. 2023 Mar 9:1-9. doi: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2187477. Abstract Purpose: Wireless communication has become an integral part of our lives. The growing number of antennas in our environment and the expanding use of mobile phones (MPs) are increasing the population's exposure to electromagnetic fields. The present study aimed to examine the potential impact of MPs radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) exposure on the brainwaves of the resting electroencephalogram (EEG) in humans. Materials and methods: Twenty-one healthy volunteers were exposed to Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) signal at 900 MHz MP RF-EMF. The maximum specific absorption rate (SAR) of the MP averaged on 10 g tissue and 1 g tissue were measured at 0.49 W/kg, 0.70 W/kg, respectively. Results: Results showed that while delta and beta rhythms of resting EEG were not affected, theta brainwaves were significantly modulated during exposure to RF-EMF related to MPs. For the first time, it was shown that this modulation is dependent on the eye condition, i.e. closed or open. Conclusions: This study strongly suggests that acute exposure to RF-EMF alters the EEG theta rhythm at rest. Long-term exposure studies are required to explore the effect of this disruption in high-risk or sensitive populations. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother

Effect directionmixed

PopulationTwenty-one healthy volunteers

Sample size21

ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 0.49 W/kg · acute

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Resting EEG rhythms (delta, theta, beta)
Theta rhythm modulation dependence on eye condition (eyes open vs closed)

Limitations

Long-term exposure effects were not assessed (authors call for long-term studies).
Details on study design (e.g., sham/control, blinding, randomization) are not provided in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": 0.49,
    "duration": "acute"
  },
  "population": "Twenty-one healthy volunteers",
  "sample_size": 21,
  "outcomes": [
    "Resting EEG rhythms (delta, theta, beta)",
    "Theta rhythm modulation dependence on eye condition (eyes open vs closed)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 21 healthy volunteers exposed to a 900 MHz GSM mobile phone RF-EMF signal (SAR 0.49 W/kg averaged on 10 g; 0.70 W/kg on 1 g), delta and beta rhythms were not affected, while theta brainwaves were significantly modulated during exposure. The theta modulation was reported to depend on eye condition (eyes open vs closed).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Long-term exposure effects were not assessed (authors call for long-term studies).",
    "Details on study design (e.g., sham/control, blinding, randomization) are not provided in the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "EEG",
    "resting EEG",
    "theta rhythm",
    "GSM",
    "900 MHz",
    "mobile phone",
    "RF-EMF",
    "SAR",
    "acute exposure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study examines effects of mobile phone RF-EMF exposure on human resting EEG."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2187477
PubMed: 36867417

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