Modified health effects of non-ionizing EMR combined with other agents reported in the biomedical literature

2017 · Mixed · Insufficient evidence

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MixedInsufficient evidencePaper 2352

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Modified health effects of non-ionizing EMR combined with other agents reported in the biomedical literature Kostoff RN, Lau CGY. Modified health effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation combined with other agents reported in the biomedical literature. In C.D. Geddes (ed.), Microwave Effects on DNA and Proteins. Switzerland: Springer, pp. 97-158.DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-50289-2. 2017. Abstract Ionizing and non-ionizing electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation, either stand-alone or in combination with other agents, exert health effects on biological systems. The present chapter examines the scope of non-ionizing EMF radiation combined effects; i.e., identifies effects on biological systems from combined exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic fields/radiation and at least one other agent. Only articles in which the presence of non-ionizing EMF radiation had some effect (beneficial or adverse) on the biological system were selected. A comprehensive and novel query was developed using an iterative hybrid approach, whereby articles related by common text and by citation linkages were retrieved. This retrieved literature was: (1) clustered algorithmically into 32 biomedical sub-themes (assigned by the authors); (2) grouped through factor analysis into 32 factors; and (3) subsequently grouped manually (by the authors) into an effects-based taxonomy. The common principles within each thematic cluster/group that accounted for the combined effects were identified. Non-ionizing EMF radiation plays a supportive role in a wide range of beneficial and adverse effects. Major beneficial effects include (1) accelerated healing of wounds and injuries in concert with other agents and (2) treatment of cancer by combining chemotherapy with radiation. Major adverse effects, on the other hand, include (1) enhanced carcinogenesis, (2) enhanced cellular or genetic mutations, and (3) teratogenicity. It should be noted that community consensus (unanimity among papers published in peer-reviewed journals) does not exist on these potential effects, either beneficial or adverse, although there is substantial credible scientific evidence supporting the above effects (as described in this chapter). Open access chapter: stip.gatech.edu content/uploads/2017/03/371048_1_En_4_Chapter_OnlinePDF.pdf

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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 typereview

Effect directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: unknown

Main findings

This chapter reviews biomedical literature on combined exposures to non-ionizing EMF/radiation and at least one other agent, selecting only articles where EMF had some beneficial or adverse effect. It reports that non-ionizing EMF may play a supportive role in both beneficial effects (e.g., accelerated wound/injury healing; cancer treatment when combined with chemotherapy) and adverse effects (e.g., enhanced carcinogenesis, enhanced cellular/genetic mutations, teratogenicity), while noting lack of community consensus across peer-reviewed papers.

Outcomes measured

combined (co-)effects of non-ionizing EMF with other agents on biological systems
wound/injury healing
cancer treatment (chemotherapy combined with radiation)
carcinogenesis
cellular or genetic mutations
teratogenicity

Limitations

Selection criterion included only articles where non-ionizing EMF had some effect (beneficial or adverse), which may bias the included literature toward positive findings
No specific EMF parameters (frequency, SAR, duration) are provided in the abstract
Authors note lack of unanimity/community consensus among peer-reviewed papers

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "combined (co-)effects of non-ionizing EMF with other agents on biological systems",
    "wound/injury healing",
    "cancer treatment (chemotherapy combined with radiation)",
    "carcinogenesis",
    "cellular or genetic mutations",
    "teratogenicity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This chapter reviews biomedical literature on combined exposures to non-ionizing EMF/radiation and at least one other agent, selecting only articles where EMF had some beneficial or adverse effect. It reports that non-ionizing EMF may play a supportive role in both beneficial effects (e.g., accelerated wound/injury healing; cancer treatment when combined with chemotherapy) and adverse effects (e.g., enhanced carcinogenesis, enhanced cellular/genetic mutations, teratogenicity), while noting lack of community consensus across peer-reviewed papers.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Selection criterion included only articles where non-ionizing EMF had some effect (beneficial or adverse), which may bias the included literature toward positive findings",
    "No specific EMF parameters (frequency, SAR, duration) are provided in the abstract",
    "Authors note lack of unanimity/community consensus among peer-reviewed papers"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
  "keywords": [
    "non-ionizing EMF",
    "electromagnetic radiation",
    "combined exposure",
    "co-exposure",
    "biological effects",
    "wound healing",
    "chemotherapy",
    "cancer",
    "carcinogenesis",
    "mutations",
    "teratogenicity",
    "literature review",
    "clustering",
    "factor analysis",
    "taxonomy"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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: 10.1007/978-3-319-50289-2
PubMed: Not supplied

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