Microwave radiation and heart-beat rate of rabbits.

The Journal of microwave power · 1980 · Mixed · Very low evidence

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MixedVery low evidencePaper 6046

Study snapshot

PublicationThe Journal of microwave power · 1980

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

Each of three adult New Zealand rabbits, 2 male and 1 female albinos, was exposed dorsally or ventrally, to 2450-MHz plane waves for 20 min under each of several field conditions: 1) to continuous waves (CW) at 5 mW/cm2; 2) to pulsed waves (PW) of 1-microsecond width that recurred 700 pps at an average of 5 mW/cm2 and at a peak of 7.1 W/cm2; 3) to PW of 10-microseconds width at a peak of 13.7 W/cm2 that were synchronized with and triggered by the R wave of the electrocardiogram (EKG) at various delay times (0, 100, and 200 ms; and 4) to CW at 80 mW/cm2. Carbon-loaded Teflon electrodes were used to record the EKG from forelimbs of an animal before, during, and after irradiation whilst it was maintained in a constant exposure geometry in a wooden squeeze box. Field induced changes in the heart-beat rate were observed at 80 mW/cm2 but not a lower average power densities, although a peak positive chronotropic effect might have been occasioned by PM introduced at 100 and 200 ms after the R wave peak. No cumulative effect was observed over a period of four months. Thermographic analysis revealed relatively little absorption of microwave energy by the myocardium irrespective of anatomical aspect of exposure.

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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 typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationAdult New Zealand rabbits (2 male, 1 female albinos)

Sample size3

Exposuremicrowave · 2450 MHz · 20 min

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Field-induced changes in heart-beat rate were observed at 80 mW/cm2 continuous-wave exposure but not at lower average power densities (5 mW/cm2). The authors note a possible peak positive chronotropic effect with pulsed microwaves triggered 100 and 200 ms after the R wave. No cumulative effect was observed over four months, and thermography suggested relatively little myocardial absorption regardless of exposure aspect.

Outcomes measured

heart-beat rate
electrocardiogram (EKG)
myocardial microwave energy absorption (thermographic analysis)

Limitations

Very small sample size (n=3)
Animal study; generalizability to humans unclear
Some findings described as possible (uncertain) rather than definitive

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "20 min"
  },
  "population": "Adult New Zealand rabbits (2 male, 1 female albinos)",
  "sample_size": 3,
  "outcomes": [
    "heart-beat rate",
    "electrocardiogram (EKG)",
    "myocardial microwave energy absorption (thermographic analysis)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Field-induced changes in heart-beat rate were observed at 80 mW/cm2 continuous-wave exposure but not at lower average power densities (5 mW/cm2). The authors note a possible peak positive chronotropic effect with pulsed microwaves triggered 100 and 200 ms after the R wave. No cumulative effect was observed over four months, and thermography suggested relatively little myocardial absorption regardless of exposure aspect.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Very small sample size (n=3)",
    "Animal study; generalizability to humans unclear",
    "Some findings described as possible (uncertain) rather than definitive"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "rabbit",
    "microwave radiation",
    "2450 MHz",
    "continuous wave",
    "pulsed wave",
    "power density",
    "heart rate",
    "chronotropic effect",
    "electrocardiogram",
    "thermography"
  ],
  "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: Not supplied
PubMed: 6904510

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