RF Safe

Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and sleep quality: a prospective cohort study.

PloS one · 2012 · No effect · Moderate evidence

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No effectModerate evidencePaper 4526

In longitudinal analyses, neither operator-recorded nor self-reported mobile phone use was associated with sleep disturbances or daytime sleepiness. Predicted environmental RF-EMF exposure was not associated with self-reported sleep quality, and findings were…

Study snapshot

PublicationPloS one · 2012
Study typecohort
Reported directionNo effect
Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is persistent public concern about sleep disturbances due to radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate whether sleep quality is affected by mobile phone use or by other RF-EMF sources in the everyday environment. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study with 955 study participants aged between 30 and 60 years. Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness was assessed by means of standardized questionnaires in May 2008 (baseline) and May 2009 (follow-up). We also asked about mobile and cordless phone use and asked study participants for consent to obtain their mobile phone connection data from the mobile phone operators. Exposure to environmental RF-EMF was computed for each study participant using a previously developed and validated prediction model. In a nested sample of 119 study participants, RF-EMF exposure was measured in the bedroom and data on sleep behavior was collected by means of actigraphy during two weeks. Data were analyzed using multivariable regression models adjusted for relevant confounders. RESULTS: In the longitudinal analyses neither operator-recorded nor self-reported mobile phone use was associated with sleep disturbances or daytime sleepiness. Also, exposure to environmental RF-EMF did not affect self-reported sleep quality. The results from the longitudinal analyses were confirmed in the nested sleep study with objectively recorded exposure and measured sleep behavior data. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find evidence for adverse effects on sleep quality from RF-EMF exposure in our everyday environment.

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 typecohort
Effect directionno_effect
PopulationAdults aged 30–60 years
Sample size955
ExposureRF · ~1 year follow-up (May 2008 to May 2009); nested 2-week bedroom measurement/actigraphy
Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In longitudinal analyses, neither operator-recorded nor self-reported mobile phone use was associated with sleep disturbances or daytime sleepiness. Predicted environmental RF-EMF exposure was not associated with self-reported sleep quality, and findings were confirmed in a nested study using bedroom exposure measurements and actigraphy.

Outcomes measured

  • Sleep quality (self-reported)
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Sleep behavior (actigraphy in nested sample)
  • Bedroom RF-EMF exposure (measured in nested sample)

Limitations

  • Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness primarily assessed via questionnaires
  • Environmental RF-EMF exposure for main cohort computed using a prediction model (not direct measurement)
  • Nested objective measurement/actigraphy sample was smaller (n=119)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "cohort",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone and other everyday environmental RF-EMF sources (including cordless phone use)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "~1 year follow-up (May 2008 to May 2009); nested 2-week bedroom measurement/actigraphy"
  },
  "population": "Adults aged 30–60 years",
  "sample_size": 955,
  "outcomes": [
    "Sleep quality (self-reported)",
    "Sleep disturbances",
    "Daytime sleepiness",
    "Sleep behavior (actigraphy in nested sample)",
    "Bedroom RF-EMF exposure (measured in nested sample)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In longitudinal analyses, neither operator-recorded nor self-reported mobile phone use was associated with sleep disturbances or daytime sleepiness. Predicted environmental RF-EMF exposure was not associated with self-reported sleep quality, and findings were confirmed in a nested study using bedroom exposure measurements and actigraphy.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness primarily assessed via questionnaires",
    "Environmental RF-EMF exposure for main cohort computed using a prediction model (not direct measurement)",
    "Nested objective measurement/actigraphy sample was smaller (n=119)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "RF-EMF",
    "mobile phone use",
    "cordless phone",
    "environmental exposure",
    "sleep quality",
    "daytime sleepiness",
    "actigraphy",
    "prospective cohort"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.25,
      "reason": "Addresses health effects (sleep) from everyday RF-EMF exposure, relevant to guideline/policy discussions."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037455
PubMed: 22624036

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