Effects of electromagnetic field emitted by cellular phones on the EEG during a memory task

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 902,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "16 normal subjects",
  "sample_size": 16,
  "outcomes": [
    "EEG ERD/ERS responses",
    "EEG power in 4–6 Hz band",
    "EEG power in 6–8 Hz band",
    "EEG power in 8–10 Hz band",
    "EEG power in 10–12 Hz band",
    "Auditory memory task performance (encoding vs retrieval context)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 16 subjects performing an auditory memory task, exposure to a digital 902 MHz EMF significantly increased EEG power in the 8–10 Hz band only. The presence of EMF altered ERD/ERS responses across all studied frequency bands as a function of time and task phase (encoding vs retrieval), and was reported not to alter resting EEG per se.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (n=16)",
    "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
    "SAR/exposure intensity not reported in abstract",
    "Outcomes limited to EEG measures during a specific auditory memory task"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "cellular phone",
    "RF EMF",
    "902 MHz",
    "EEG",
    "ERD/ERS",
    "alpha band",
    "theta band",
    "memory task",
    "encoding",
    "retrieval"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study examines EMF emitted by cellular phones (902 MHz) and EEG outcomes."
    }
  ]
}