Exposure to pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic field during waking affects human sleep EEG.

Neuroreport · 2000 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5334

Compared with sham exposure, 30 min exposure to 900 MHz EMF (spatial peak SAR 1 W/kg) during waking was associated with increased EEG spectral power during subsequent non-rapid eye movement sleep, with the maximum rise in the 9.75–11.25 Hz and 12.5–13.25 Hz b…

Study snapshot

PublicationNeuroreport · 2000
Study typerandomized_trial
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted by digital radiotelephone handsets affects brain physiology. Healthy, young male subjects were exposed for 30 min to EMF (900 MHz; spatial peak specific absorption rate 1 W/kg) during the waking period preceding sleep. Compared with the control condition with sham exposure, spectral power of the EEG in non-rapid eye movement sleep was increased. The maximum rise occurred in the 9.75-11.25 Hz and 12.5-13.25 Hz band during the initial part of sleep. These changes correspond to those obtained in a previous study where EMF was intermittently applied during sleep. Unilateral exposure induced no hemispheric asymmetry of EEG power. The present results demonstrate that exposure during waking modifies the EEG during subsequent sleep. Thus the changes of brain function induced by pulsed high-frequency EMF outlast the exposure period.

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
PopulationHealthy, young male subjects
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 1 W/kg · 30 min
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with sham exposure, 30 min exposure to 900 MHz EMF (spatial peak SAR 1 W/kg) during waking was associated with increased EEG spectral power during subsequent non-rapid eye movement sleep, with the maximum rise in the 9.75–11.25 Hz and 12.5–13.25 Hz bands early in sleep. Unilateral exposure did not induce hemispheric asymmetry of EEG power.

Outcomes measured

  • Sleep EEG spectral power (non-rapid eye movement sleep)
  • EEG power in 9.75–11.25 Hz band
  • EEG power in 12.5–13.25 Hz band
  • Hemispheric asymmetry of EEG power (unilateral exposure)

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in the abstract
  • Population limited to healthy, young male subjects (generalizability unclear)
  • Only short-term exposure (30 min) and short-term outcomes reported
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": 1,
    "duration": "30 min"
  },
  "population": "Healthy, young male subjects",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Sleep EEG spectral power (non-rapid eye movement sleep)",
    "EEG power in 9.75–11.25 Hz band",
    "EEG power in 12.5–13.25 Hz band",
    "Hemispheric asymmetry of EEG power (unilateral exposure)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with sham exposure, 30 min exposure to 900 MHz EMF (spatial peak SAR 1 W/kg) during waking was associated with increased EEG spectral power during subsequent non-rapid eye movement sleep, with the maximum rise in the 9.75–11.25 Hz and 12.5–13.25 Hz bands early in sleep. Unilateral exposure did not induce hemispheric asymmetry of EEG power.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Population limited to healthy, young male subjects (generalizability unclear)",
    "Only short-term exposure (30 min) and short-term outcomes reported"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "900 MHz",
    "mobile phone",
    "digital radiotelephone",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR",
    "sleep",
    "EEG",
    "non-REM",
    "spectral power",
    "sham exposure",
    "pulsed high-frequency EMF"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Exposure described as EMF emitted by digital radiotelephone handsets at 900 MHz with SAR reported."
    },
    {
      "slug": "sleep-eeg",
      "weight": 0.85,
      "reason": "Primary outcome is changes in non-REM sleep EEG spectral power following exposure."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1097/00001756-200010200-00012
PubMed: 11059895

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