A meta-analysis for neurobehavioural effects due to electromagnetic field exposure emitted by GSM mobile phones.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND

AND OBJECTIVE:
Numerous studies have investigated the potential effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by GSM mobile phones ( approximately 900 MHz to approximately 1800 MHz) on cognitive functioning, but results have been equivocal. In order to try and clarify this issue, the current study carried out a meta-analysis on 19 experimental studies.

DESIGN:
Meta-analysis.

METHODS:
Nineteen studies were taken into consideration. Ten of them were included in the meta-analysis as they fulfilled several minimum requirements; for example, single-blind or double-blind experimental study design and documentation of means and standard deviation of the dependent variables. The meta-analysis compared exposed with non-exposed subjects assuming that there is a common population effect so that one single effect size could be calculated. When homogeneity for single effect sizes was not given, an own population effect for each study and a distribution of population effects was assumed.

RESULTS:
Attention measured by the subtraction task seems to be affected in regard to decreased reaction time. Working memory measured by the N-back test seems to be affected too:
under condition 0-back target response time is lower under exposure, while under condition 2-back target response time increases. The number of errors under condition 2-back non-targets appears to be higher under exposure.

CONCLUSION:
Results of the meta-analysis suggest that EMFs may have a small impact on human attention and working memory.

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Author information

Author/s: Barth, A (A); Winker, R (R); Ponocny-Seliger, E (E); Mayrhofer, W (W); Ponocny, I (I); Sauter, C (C); Vana, N (N);

Affiliation: Institute of Management Science, Division Ergonomics and Organization, Vienna University of Technology, Theresianumgasse 27, A-1040 Vienna, Austria. barth@imw.tuwien.ac.at

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Meta-Analysis; Review

Journal: Occupational and environmental medicine (Occup Environ Med), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-May; vol 65 (issue 5) : pp 342-6

Dates: Created 2008/04/21; Completed 2008/05/12;

PMID: 17928386, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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.

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Analysis of Variance
Cellular Phone
Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
Electromagnetic Fields - adverse effects
Female

Female
Humans
Male
Mental Processes - radiation effects
Middle Aged
Neuropsychological Tests
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Reaction Time - radiation effects

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