Effect of 902 MHz mobile phone transmission on cognitive function in children.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2005 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 6426

In a randomized three-way crossover study of 18 children, reaction time tended to be shorter during 902 MHz mobile phone exposure (0.025 or 0.25 W) compared with sham (0 W), most notably for simple reaction time. However, no effects remained statistically sig…

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2005

Study typerandomized_trial

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

We examine whether a standard mobile exposure at 902 MHz has a significant effect on cognitive function in 18 children 10-12 years of age. These were in a single group in which each child was given a single training session and then three test sessions in a randomized, three-way crossover design, using the cognitive drug research (CDR) cognitive assessment system. Exposures were 0, 0.025, or 0.25 W from a standard Nokia 3110 mobile phone handset mounted on a plastic headset in normal use position. The results of testing showed that the baseline (0 W) performance for the reaction time measurements was considerably slower than for the comparable measures in adult. There was a tendency for reaction time to be shorter during exposure to radiation than in the sham (baseline) condition, an effect that was most marked for simple reaction time. However, no effects reached statistical significance after Bonferroni correction. Therefore, we conclude that this study on 18 children did not replicate our earlier finding in adults that exposure to microwave radiation was associated with a reduction in reaction time. It should be noted that the present study investigated the effects of radiation from a GSM handset, whereas in our previous study the effect on reaction time was observed only with a more powerful analogue handset.

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

PopulationChildren aged 10–12 years

Sample size18

ExposureRF · 902 MHz

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Cognitive function (CDR cognitive assessment system)
Reaction time (including simple reaction time)

Limitations

Small sample size (n=18)
No statistically significant effects after Bonferroni correction
Exposure characterized by handset power (W) without reported SAR
Single-group crossover design; limited detail on exposure duration in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 902,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Children aged 10–12 years",
  "sample_size": 18,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cognitive function (CDR cognitive assessment system)",
    "Reaction time (including simple reaction time)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a randomized three-way crossover study of 18 children, reaction time tended to be shorter during 902 MHz mobile phone exposure (0.025 or 0.25 W) compared with sham (0 W), most notably for simple reaction time. However, no effects remained statistically significant after Bonferroni correction, and the study did not replicate earlier adult findings.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (n=18)",
    "No statistically significant effects after Bonferroni correction",
    "Exposure characterized by handset power (W) without reported SAR",
    "Single-group crossover design; limited detail on exposure duration in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "902 MHz",
    "mobile phone",
    "GSM handset",
    "children",
    "cognitive function",
    "reaction time",
    "randomized crossover",
    "microwave radiation"
  ],
  "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: 10.1002/bem.20128
PubMed: 15931678

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