Heart rate variability affected by RF EMF in adolescent students

2018 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2133

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018

Study typerandomized_trial

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Heart rate variability affected by RF EMF in adolescent students Misek J, Belyaev I, Jakusova V, Tonhajzerova I, Barabas J, Jakus J. Heart rate variability affected by radiofrequency electromagnetic field in adolescent students. Bioelectromagnetics. 2018 Feb 22. doi: 10.1002/bem.22115. Abstract This study examines the possible effect of radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The effect of RF EMF on ANS activity was studied by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) during ortho-clinostatic test (i.e., transition from lying to standing and back) in 46 healthy grammar school students. A 1788 MHz pulsed wave with intensity of 54 ± 1.6 V/m was applied intermittently for 18 min in each trial. Maximum specific absorption rate (SAR10 ) value was determined to 0.405 W/kg. We also measured the respiration rate and estimated a subjective perception of EMF exposure. RF exposure decreased heart rate of subjects in a lying position, while no such change was seen in standing students. After exposure while lying, a rise in high frequency band of HRV and root Mean Square of the Successive Differences was observed, which indicated an increase in parasympathetic nerve activity. Tympanic temperature and skin temperature were measured showing no heating under RF exposure. No RF effect on respiration rate was observed. None of the tested subjects were able to distinguish real exposure from sham exposure when queried at the end of the trial. In conclusion, short-term RF EMF exposure of students in a lying position during the ortho-clinostatic test affected ANS with significant increase in parasympathetic nerve activity compared to sham exposed group. 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 typerandomized_trial

Effect directionmixed

Population46 healthy grammar school (adolescent) students

Sample size46

ExposureRF · 1788 MHz · 0.405 W/kg · Intermittent exposure for 18 min in each trial

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

A 1788 MHz pulsed RF exposure (54 ± 1.6 V/m; SAR10 0.405 W/kg) decreased heart rate in the lying position but not in standing students. After exposure while lying, high-frequency HRV and RMSSD increased, interpreted as increased parasympathetic activity versus sham; no effects were observed on respiration rate or temperatures, and participants could not distinguish real from sham exposure.

Outcomes measured

Autonomic nervous system activity
Heart rate variability (HRV) during ortho-clinostatic test
Heart rate
High frequency band of HRV
Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences (RMSSD)
Respiration rate
Subjective perception of EMF exposure (real vs sham)
Tympanic temperature
Skin temperature

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 1788,
    "sar_wkg": 0.405,
    "duration": "Intermittent exposure for 18 min in each trial"
  },
  "population": "46 healthy grammar school (adolescent) students",
  "sample_size": 46,
  "outcomes": [
    "Autonomic nervous system activity",
    "Heart rate variability (HRV) during ortho-clinostatic test",
    "Heart rate",
    "High frequency band of HRV",
    "Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences (RMSSD)",
    "Respiration rate",
    "Subjective perception of EMF exposure (real vs sham)",
    "Tympanic temperature",
    "Skin temperature"
  ],
  "main_findings": "A 1788 MHz pulsed RF exposure (54 ± 1.6 V/m; SAR10 0.405 W/kg) decreased heart rate in the lying position but not in standing students. After exposure while lying, high-frequency HRV and RMSSD increased, interpreted as increased parasympathetic activity versus sham; no effects were observed on respiration rate or temperatures, and participants could not distinguish real from sham exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "RF EMF",
    "1788 MHz",
    "pulsed wave",
    "V/m",
    "SAR10",
    "heart rate variability",
    "HRV",
    "RMSSD",
    "high frequency",
    "autonomic nervous system",
    "parasympathetic activity",
    "adolescents",
    "students",
    "ortho-clinostatic test",
    "sham exposure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Study population is adolescent school students; exposure context relates to students (though source is not specified)."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1002/bem.22115
PubMed: Not supplied

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