Cognitive function and symptoms in adults and adolescents in relation to rf radiation from UMTS base stations.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2008 · Mixed · Moderate evidence

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MixedModerate evidencePaper 5035

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2008

Study typerandomized_trial

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

There is widespread public concern about the potential adverse health effects of mobile phones in general and their associated base stations in particular. This study was designed to investigate the acute effects of radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) mobile phone base stations on human cognitive function and symptoms. Forty adolescents (15-16 years) and 40 adults (25-40 years) were exposed to four conditions: (1) sham, (2) a Continuous Wave (CW) at 2140 MHz, (3) a signal at 2140 MHz modulated as UMTS and (4) UMTS at 2140 MHz including all control features in a randomized, double blinded cross-over design. Each exposure lasted 45 min. During exposure the participants performed different cognitive tasks with the Trail Making B (TMB) test as the main outcome and completed a questionnaire measuring self reported subjective symptoms. No statistically significant differences between the UMTS and sham conditions were found for performance on TMB. For the adults, the estimated difference between UMTS and sham was -3.2% (-9.2%; 2.9%) and for the adolescents 5.5% (-1.1%; 12.2%). No significant changes were found in any of the cognitive tasks. An increase in 'headache rating' was observed when data from the adolescents and adults were combined (P = 0.027), an effect that may be due to differences at baseline. In conclusion, the primary hypothesis that UMTS radiation reduces general performance in the TMB test was not confirmed. However, we suggest that the hypothesis of subjective symptoms and EMF exposure needs further research.

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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

PopulationAdolescents (15–16 years) and adults (25–40 years)

Sample size80

ExposureRF · 2140 MHz · 45 min (each exposure condition)

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a randomized, double-blind cross-over study with four exposure conditions (sham, CW 2140 MHz, UMTS-modulated 2140 MHz, and UMTS 2140 MHz with control features), no statistically significant differences were found between UMTS and sham for Trail Making B performance or other cognitive tasks in adults or adolescents. Headache rating increased when adolescents and adults were combined (P=0.027), which the authors note may be due to baseline differences.

Outcomes measured

Cognitive function (Trail Making B test as main outcome)
Other cognitive task performance
Self-reported subjective symptoms (questionnaire; includes headache rating)

Limitations

Acute exposure only (45 min per condition)
Headache finding may be due to baseline differences (as noted by authors)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "base station",
    "frequency_mhz": 2140,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "45 min (each exposure condition)"
  },
  "population": "Adolescents (15–16 years) and adults (25–40 years)",
  "sample_size": 80,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cognitive function (Trail Making B test as main outcome)",
    "Other cognitive task performance",
    "Self-reported subjective symptoms (questionnaire; includes headache rating)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a randomized, double-blind cross-over study with four exposure conditions (sham, CW 2140 MHz, UMTS-modulated 2140 MHz, and UMTS 2140 MHz with control features), no statistically significant differences were found between UMTS and sham for Trail Making B performance or other cognitive tasks in adults or adolescents. Headache rating increased when adolescents and adults were combined (P=0.027), which the authors note may be due to baseline differences.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Acute exposure only (45 min per condition)",
    "Headache finding may be due to baseline differences (as noted by authors)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "UMTS",
    "base stations",
    "RF EMF",
    "2140 MHz",
    "randomized double-blind cross-over",
    "adolescents",
    "adults",
    "cognitive function",
    "Trail Making B",
    "subjective symptoms",
    "headache"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Human experimental study on RF exposure and health-related outcomes relevant to guideline 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: 10.1002/bem.20388
PubMed: 18163423

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