Mobile phone headache: a double blind, sham-controlled provocation study.

Full Abstract

The objective was to test whether exposure to radio frequency (RF) fields from mobile phones may cause head pain or discomfort and whether it may influence physiological variables in individuals attributing symptoms to mobile phones, but not to electromagnetic fields in general. Seventeen eligible individuals, who experienced these symptoms in an open provocation test, took part in a double-blind, randomized provocation study with cross-over design. Sixty-five pairs of sham and mobile phone RF exposures were conducted. The increase in pain or discomfort (visual analogue scales) in RF sessions was 10.1 and in sham sessions 12.6 (P=0.30). Changes in heart rate or blood pressure were not related to the type of exposure (P:
0.30-0.88). The study gave no evidence that RF fields from mobile phones may cause head pain or discomfort or influence physiological variables. The most likely reason for the symptoms is a nocebo effect.

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Author information

Author/s: Oftedal, G (G); Straume, A (A); Johnsson, A (A); Stovner, L J (LJ);

Affiliation: Faculty of Technology, Sør-Trøndelag University College (HiST), Trondheim, Norway. gunnhild.oftedal(-atsign-)hist.no

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache (Cephalalgia), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-May; vol 27 (issue 5) : pp 447-55

Dates: Created 2007/04/23; Completed 2007/06/12; Revised 2008/02/11;

PMID: 17359515, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Blood Pressure - radiation effects
Cellular Phone
Cross-Over Studies
Double-Blind Method
Female
Headache - diagnosis; etiology
Heart Rate - radiation effects

Heart Rate - radiation effects
Humans
Male
Microwaves - adverse effects
Middle Aged
Pain Measurement - radiation effects
Placebo Effect
Radiation Injuries - diagnosis; etiology
Risk Assessment - methods
Risk Factors

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