Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) and electrosensibility (ES) - are they connected?

International journal of hygiene and environmental health · 2013 · Mixed · Low evidence

← Research stream

MixedLow evidencePaper 4516

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of hygiene and environmental health · 2013

Study typerandomized_trial

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The tendency of experiencing unpleasant symptoms in the proximity of working electric devices is called idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF). Evidence about psychophysiological backgrounds of the phenomenon (i.e., detection ability and mechanisms of symptom generation) is not yet conclusive. METHODS: Participants of the provocation experiment were 29 individuals with self-reported IEI-EMF and 42 control persons. Participants completed questionnaires (symptom expectations, somatosensory amplification - SSAS, modern health worries radiation subscale - MHW-R), and attempted to detect the presence of 50 Hz 0.5 mT magnetic field (MF) directed to their right arm in 20 subsequent 1-min sessions. Heart rate was also recorded and various indices of heart rate variability (HF, LF/HF, SDNN) were calculated. RESULTS: Using the methodology of the signal detection theory, individuals with IEI-EMF as opposed to the control group showed a higher than random detection performance (d' differed slightly but statistically significantly from zero), and they used a significantly lower criterion (β value) when deciding about the presence of the MF. Detection sessions followed by correct decisions (hits or correct rejections) were characterized by higher HRV (SDNN and HF indices) than periods followed by errors (misses or false alarms). Previous expectations and affiliation to the IEI-EMF group were significant predictors of symptoms reported following exposure. IEI-EMF was closely related to MHW-R and SSAS scores. CONCLUSION: Detection of MF might be possible for people with IEI-EMF to some extent. Although heightened sensibility to MFs may play a role in the development and/or in the perpetuance of the IEI-EMF phenomenon, symptoms attributed to the MF seem to be mainly of psychogenic origin.

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

Population29 individuals with self-reported IEI-EMF and 42 control persons

Sample size71

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 20 subsequent 1-min sessions

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with controls, the IEI-EMF group showed slightly but statistically significantly higher-than-random detection performance (d′ > 0) and used a significantly lower decision criterion (β). Correct detection decisions were associated with higher HRV (SDNN and HF) than error periods. Symptom expectations and IEI-EMF group affiliation predicted symptoms reported following exposure, and IEI-EMF was closely related to MHW-R and SSAS scores; authors conclude symptoms seem mainly psychogenic despite some detection ability.

Outcomes measured

Magnetic field detection performance (signal detection theory; d′, β)
Self-reported symptoms following exposure
Heart rate
Heart rate variability indices (HF, LF/HF, SDNN)
Questionnaire measures: symptom expectations, somatosensory amplification (SSAS), modern health worries radiation subscale (MHW-R)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "provocation experiment (magnetic field exposure)",
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "20 subsequent 1-min sessions"
  },
  "population": "29 individuals with self-reported IEI-EMF and 42 control persons",
  "sample_size": 71,
  "outcomes": [
    "Magnetic field detection performance (signal detection theory; d′, β)",
    "Self-reported symptoms following exposure",
    "Heart rate",
    "Heart rate variability indices (HF, LF/HF, SDNN)",
    "Questionnaire measures: symptom expectations, somatosensory amplification (SSAS), modern health worries radiation subscale (MHW-R)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with controls, the IEI-EMF group showed slightly but statistically significantly higher-than-random detection performance (d′ > 0) and used a significantly lower decision criterion (β). Correct detection decisions were associated with higher HRV (SDNN and HF) than error periods. Symptom expectations and IEI-EMF group affiliation predicted symptoms reported following exposure, and IEI-EMF was closely related to MHW-R and SSAS scores; authors conclude symptoms seem mainly psychogenic despite some detection ability.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "IEI-EMF",
    "electrosensibility",
    "idiopathic environmental intolerance",
    "50 Hz",
    "magnetic field",
    "provocation experiment",
    "signal detection theory",
    "heart rate variability",
    "symptom expectations",
    "somatosensory amplification",
    "modern health worries"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.25,
      "reason": "Addresses IEI-EMF/electrosensitivity and provocation testing relevant to EMF health guidance discussions."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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.ijheh.2012.05.007
PubMed: 22698789

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library