Influence of a radiofrequency electromagnetic field on cardiovascular and hormonal parameters of the autonomic nervous system in healthy individuals.

Radiation research · 2002 · No effect · Moderate evidence

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No effectModerate evidencePaper 5295

Study snapshot

PublicationRadiation research · 2002

Study typerandomized_trial

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

The potential health risks of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by mobile phones are of considerable public interest. The present study investigated the hypothesis, based on the results of our previous study, that exposure to EMFs can increase sympathetic vasoconstrictor activity. Forty healthy young males and females underwent a single-blind, placebo-controlled protocol once on each of two different days. Each investigation included successive periods of placebo and EMF exposure, given in a randomized order. The exposure was implemented by a GSM-like signal (900 MHz, pulsed with 217 Hz, 2 W) using a mobile phone mounted on the right-hand side of the head in a typical telephoning position. Each period of placebo exposure and of EMF exposure consisted of 20 min of supine rest, 10 min of 70 degrees upright tilt on a tilt table, and another 20 min of supine rest. Blood pressure, heart rate and cutaneous capillary perfusion were measured continuously. In addition, serum levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, cortisol and endothelin were analyzed in venous blood samples taken every 10 min. Similar to the previous study, systolic and diastolic blood pressure each showed slow, continuous, statistically significant increases of about 5 mmHg during the course of the protocol. All other parameters either decreased in parallel or remained constant. However, analysis of variance showed that the changes in blood pressure and in all other parameters were independent of the EMF exposure. These findings do not support the assumption of a nonthermal influence of EMFs emitted by mobile phones on the cardiovascular autonomic nervous system in healthy humans.

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 directionno_effect

PopulationHealthy young males and females

Sample size40

ExposureRF · 900 MHz · Two sessions on two different days; each session included placebo and EMF exposure periods with 20 min supine + 10 min tilt + 20 min supine per period

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased slowly by about 5 mmHg over the protocol, but analysis of variance indicated that changes in blood pressure and all other measured parameters were independent of EMF exposure. The authors conclude the findings do not support a nonthermal influence of mobile-phone EMF on cardiovascular autonomic nervous system parameters in healthy humans.

Outcomes measured

Blood pressure (systolic, diastolic)
Heart rate
Cutaneous capillary perfusion
Serum norepinephrine
Serum epinephrine
Serum cortisol
Serum endothelin

Limitations

Single-blind design
Exposure metric reported as signal characteristics and power (2 W) but no SAR provided
Short-term exposure/acute protocol only

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Two sessions on two different days; each session included placebo and EMF exposure periods with 20 min supine + 10 min tilt + 20 min supine per period"
  },
  "population": "Healthy young males and females",
  "sample_size": 40,
  "outcomes": [
    "Blood pressure (systolic, diastolic)",
    "Heart rate",
    "Cutaneous capillary perfusion",
    "Serum norepinephrine",
    "Serum epinephrine",
    "Serum cortisol",
    "Serum endothelin"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased slowly by about 5 mmHg over the protocol, but analysis of variance indicated that changes in blood pressure and all other measured parameters were independent of EMF exposure. The authors conclude the findings do not support a nonthermal influence of mobile-phone EMF on cardiovascular autonomic nervous system parameters in healthy humans.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Single-blind design",
    "Exposure metric reported as signal characteristics and power (2 W) but no SAR provided",
    "Short-term exposure/acute protocol only"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "mobile phone",
    "GSM-like signal",
    "900 MHz",
    "autonomic nervous system",
    "blood pressure",
    "heart rate",
    "tilt table",
    "norepinephrine",
    "epinephrine",
    "cortisol",
    "endothelin"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Human experimental study of RF exposure from a mobile phone relevant to RF health-risk evidence base often considered in 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: 10.1667/0033-7587(2002)158[0352:ioaref]2.0.co;2
PubMed: 12175313

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