Source of Funding and Results of Studies of Health Effects of Mobile Phone Use: Systematic Review of Experimental Studies

Environ Health Perspect. · 2006 · Mixed · Moderate evidence

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MixedModerate evidencePaper 6717

Study snapshot

PublicationEnviron Health Perspect. · 2006

Study typesystematic_review

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

Objectives: There is concern regarding the possible health effects of cellular telephone use. We examined whether the source of funding of studies of the effects of low-level radiofrequency radiation is associated with the results of studies. We conducted a systematic review of studies of controlled exposure to radiofrequency radiation with health-related outcomes (electroencephalogram, cognitive or cardiovascular function, hormone levels, symptoms, and subjective well-being). Data sources: We searched EMBASE, Medline, and a specialist database in February 2005 and scrutinized reference lists from relevant publications. Data extraction: Data on the source of funding, study design, methodologic quality, and other study characteristics were extracted. The primary outcome was the reporting of at least one statistically significant association between the exposure and a health-related outcome. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models. Data synthesis: Of 59 studies, 12 (20%) were funded exclusively by the telecommunications industry, 11 (19%) were funded by public agencies or charities, 14 (24%) had mixed funding (including industry), and in 22 (37%) the source of funding was not reported. Studies funded exclusively by industry reported the largest number of outcomes, but were least likely to report a statistically significant result: The odds ratio was 0.11 (95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.78), compared with studies funded by public agencies or charities. This finding was not materially altered in analyses adjusted for the number of outcomes reported, study quality, and other factors. Conclusions: The interpretation of results from studies of health effects of radiofrequency radiation should take sponsorship into account.

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 typesystematic_review

Effect directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample size59

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a systematic review of 59 controlled-exposure experimental studies of low-level radiofrequency radiation, studies funded exclusively by the telecommunications industry were least likely to report at least one statistically significant association between exposure and a health-related outcome (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.02–0.78) compared with studies funded by public agencies/charities. This association was reported as not materially altered after adjustment for number of outcomes, study quality, and other factors.

Outcomes measured

electroencephalogram (EEG)
cognitive function
cardiovascular function
hormone levels
symptoms
subjective well-being

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "systematic_review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": 59,
  "outcomes": [
    "electroencephalogram (EEG)",
    "cognitive function",
    "cardiovascular function",
    "hormone levels",
    "symptoms",
    "subjective well-being"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a systematic review of 59 controlled-exposure experimental studies of low-level radiofrequency radiation, studies funded exclusively by the telecommunications industry were least likely to report at least one statistically significant association between exposure and a health-related outcome (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.02–0.78) compared with studies funded by public agencies/charities. This association was reported as not materially altered after adjustment for number of outcomes, study quality, and other factors.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "mobile phone",
    "radiofrequency radiation",
    "controlled exposure",
    "experimental studies",
    "funding source",
    "industry sponsorship",
    "systematic review",
    "statistically significant results",
    "EEG",
    "cognition",
    "cardiovascular",
    "hormones",
    "symptoms",
    "well-being"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.25,
      "reason": "Systematic review of RF health-effects studies; relevant to evidence appraisal used in guideline contexts."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1289/ehp.9149
PubMed: 17366811

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