Behavioral thermoregulation with microwave radiation of albino rats.

Perceptual and motor skills · 1986 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 6199

In a refrigerated environment, rats were conditioned to lever-press to produce 6-second microwave pulses. Operant response rates varied directly with microwave intensity, with higher mean responding at a moderate intensity (250 W) and lower responding at the …

Study snapshot

PublicationPerceptual and motor skills · 1986

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The objective of this exploratory study was to investigate the extent to which microwave radiation would reinforce operant behavior in a cold environment. A reversal-design with the single subject serving as its own control was used for testing the reinforcing properties of microwaves. Six albino rats were conditioned to produce 6-sec. pulses of microwave radiation within a refrigerated environment. The schedule of reinforcement was continuous (crf). Each lever press produced a 6-sec. output of microwave radiation. The intensity of radiation was varied across blocks of sessions in the reversal design. Microwave values used were as follows: 62.5 W, 125 W, 250 W, and 437.5 W. Sessions lasted from 8 to 9 hr. over an approximate 7-mo. period. Results showed that rates of operant responding varied as a direct function of microwave intensity. Relatively high mean rates were associated with moderate microwave intensity (250 W), whereas lower mean rates of responding were associated with extreme microwave intensities (62.5 W and 437.5 W) in the reversal design. These data are explained in terms of satiation and deprivation of the reinforcing value of microwave radiation.

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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

PopulationSix albino rats

Sample size6

Exposuremicrowave · 6-sec pulses contingent on lever press; sessions 8–9 hr over ~7 months

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Operant responding rate (lever pressing) as reinforcement/behavioral thermoregulation in a cold environment

Limitations

Exploratory study
Small sample size (n=6)
Single-subject reversal design; generalizability unclear
Microwave frequency and dosimetry (e.g., SAR) not reported in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "6-sec pulses contingent on lever press; sessions 8–9 hr over ~7 months"
  },
  "population": "Six albino rats",
  "sample_size": 6,
  "outcomes": [
    "Operant responding rate (lever pressing) as reinforcement/behavioral thermoregulation in a cold environment"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a refrigerated environment, rats were conditioned to lever-press to produce 6-second microwave pulses. Operant response rates varied directly with microwave intensity, with higher mean responding at a moderate intensity (250 W) and lower responding at the lowest (62.5 W) and highest (437.5 W) intensities tested.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Exploratory study",
    "Small sample size (n=6)",
    "Single-subject reversal design; generalizability unclear",
    "Microwave frequency and dosimetry (e.g., SAR) not reported in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave radiation",
    "albino rats",
    "operant conditioning",
    "reinforcement",
    "behavioral thermoregulation",
    "cold environment",
    "reversal design",
    "intensity (W)"
  ],
  "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: 10.2466/pms.1986.62.3.831
PubMed: 3725519

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