Effects of mobile phone exposure (GSM 900 and WCDMA/UMTS) on polysomnography based sleep quality: An intra- and inter-individual perspective.

Environmental research · 2016 · Mixed · Moderate evidence

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MixedModerate evidencePaper 4728

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental research · 2016

Study typerandomized_trial

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Studies on effects of radio frequency-electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on the macrostructure of sleep so far yielded inconsistent results. This study investigated whether possible effects of RF-EMF exposure differ between individuals. OBJECTIVE: In a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled cross-over study possible effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by pulsed Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) 900 and Wideband Code-Division Multiple Access (WCDMA)/Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (WCDMA/UMTS) devices on sleep were analysed. METHODS: Thirty healthy young men (range 18-30 years) were exposed three times per exposure condition while their sleep was recorded. Sleep was evaluated according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine standard and eight basic sleep variables were considered. RESULTS: Data analyses at the individual level indicate that RF-EMF effects are observed in 90% of the individuals and that all sleep variables are affected in at least four subjects. While sleep of participants was affected in various numbers, combinations of sleep variables and in different directions, showing improvements but also deteriorations, the only consistent finding was an increase of stage R sleep under GSM 900MHz exposure (9 of 30 subjects) as well as under WCDMA/UMTS exposure (10 of 30 subjects). CONCLUSIONS: The results underline that sleep of individuals can be affected differently. The observations found here may indicate an underlying thermal mechanism of RF-EMF on human REM sleep. Nevertheless, the effect of an increase in stage R sleep in one third of the individuals does not necessarily indicate a disturbance of sleep.

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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 typerandomized_trial

Effect directionmixed

PopulationThirty healthy young men (18–30 years)

Sample size30

ExposureRF · 900 MHz

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled cross-over study, individual-level analyses suggested RF-EMF-related changes in sleep variables in many participants, with effects varying by person and direction (improvements and deteriorations). The only consistent finding reported was an increase in stage R sleep under GSM 900 MHz exposure (9/30 subjects) and under WCDMA/UMTS exposure (10/30 subjects).

Outcomes measured

Polysomnography-based sleep macrostructure (eight basic sleep variables)
Stage R (REM) sleep

Limitations

Small sample size (30 participants)
Restricted population (healthy young men only; ages 18–30)
Effects varied across individuals and directions, with only one consistent finding reported

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Thirty healthy young men (18–30 years)",
  "sample_size": 30,
  "outcomes": [
    "Polysomnography-based sleep macrostructure (eight basic sleep variables)",
    "Stage R (REM) sleep"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled cross-over study, individual-level analyses suggested RF-EMF-related changes in sleep variables in many participants, with effects varying by person and direction (improvements and deteriorations). The only consistent finding reported was an increase in stage R sleep under GSM 900 MHz exposure (9/30 subjects) and under WCDMA/UMTS exposure (10/30 subjects).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (30 participants)",
    "Restricted population (healthy young men only; ages 18–30)",
    "Effects varied across individuals and directions, with only one consistent finding reported"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "mobile phone",
    "GSM 900",
    "WCDMA",
    "UMTS",
    "double-blind",
    "randomized",
    "sham-controlled",
    "cross-over",
    "polysomnography",
    "sleep",
    "REM",
    "stage R"
  ],
  "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: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.11.011
PubMed: 26618505

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