The potential for impact of man-made super low and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on sleep

2019 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 1754

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The potential for impact of man-made super low and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on sleep Ohayon MM, Stolc V, Freund FT, Milesi C, Sullivan SS. The potential for impact of man-made super low and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on sleep. Sleep Med Rev. 2019 Jun 8;47:28-38. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2019.06.001. Abstract An ever-growing number of electromagnetic (EM) emission sources elicits health concerns, particularly stemming from the ubiquitous low to extremely low frequency fields from power lines and appliances, and the radiofrequency fields emitted from telecommunication devices. In this article we review the state of knowledge regarding possible impacts of electromagnetic fields on melatonin secretion and on sleep structure and the electroencephalogram of humans. Most of the studies on the effects of melatonin on humans have been conducted in the presence of EM fields, focusing on the effects of occupational or residential exposures. While some of the earlier studies indicated that EM fields may have a suppressive effect on melatonin, the results cannot be generalized because of the large variability in exposure conditions and other factors that may influence melatonin. For instance, exposure to radiofrequency EM fields on sleep architecture show little or no effect. However, a number of studies show that pulsating radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, such as those emitted from cellular phones, can alter brain physiology, increasing the electroencephalogram power in selective bands when administered immediately prior to or during sleep. Additional research is necessary that would include older populations and evaluate the interactions of EM fields in different frequency ranges to examine their effects on sleep in humans. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Machine Enhanced Logic

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 typereview

Effect directionmixed

Populationhumans

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF/RF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This review summarizes evidence on electromagnetic fields and potential impacts on melatonin and sleep/EEG in humans. Earlier studies suggested possible melatonin suppression, but findings were not generalizable due to variability in exposure conditions and other influencing factors. Radiofrequency exposure showed little or no effect on sleep architecture in some studies, while pulsating RF fields (e.g., from cellular phones) were reported in a number of studies to alter brain physiology by increasing EEG power in selective bands when exposure occurred immediately prior to or during sleep.

Outcomes measured

melatonin secretion
sleep structure
sleep architecture
electroencephalogram (EEG)

Limitations

Large variability in exposure conditions and other factors influencing melatonin limits generalizability
Need for additional research including older populations
Need to evaluate interactions of EM fields across different frequency ranges

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF/RF",
    "source": "power lines and appliances; telecommunication devices/cellular phones; occupational or residential exposures",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "humans",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "melatonin secretion",
    "sleep structure",
    "sleep architecture",
    "electroencephalogram (EEG)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This review summarizes evidence on electromagnetic fields and potential impacts on melatonin and sleep/EEG in humans. Earlier studies suggested possible melatonin suppression, but findings were not generalizable due to variability in exposure conditions and other influencing factors. Radiofrequency exposure showed little or no effect on sleep architecture in some studies, while pulsating RF fields (e.g., from cellular phones) were reported in a number of studies to alter brain physiology by increasing EEG power in selective bands when exposure occurred immediately prior to or during sleep.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Large variability in exposure conditions and other factors influencing melatonin limits generalizability",
    "Need for additional research including older populations",
    "Need to evaluate interactions of EM fields across different frequency ranges"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "super low frequency",
    "extremely low frequency",
    "radiofrequency",
    "power lines",
    "appliances",
    "telecommunication devices",
    "cellular phones",
    "melatonin",
    "sleep",
    "sleep architecture",
    "EEG"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.62,
      "reason": "Review discusses occupational exposures in studies of melatonin and sleep."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1016/j.smrv.2019.06.001
PubMed: Not supplied

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