Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Neuropsychological sequelae of digital mobile phone exposure in humans. med./bio.

By: Keetley V, Wood AW, Spong J, Stough C

Published in: Neuropsychologia 2006; 44 (10): 1843-1848

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To examine the cognitive effects of digital mobile phone emissions, using well-validated neuropsychological tests, in a large sample size of 120 subjects.

Endpoint

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: cognitive functioning

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 60 min	power: 0.23 W mean

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 60 min

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Duty cycle	12.5 %
Repetition frequency	217 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	1.5 cm
Setup	The mobile phone was attached to a non-metallic helmet, so that it rested against the subject's left ear with the antenna 1.5 ± 0.5 cm from the head. To prevent subjects from detecting the testing condition by sound or heat, the speaker was removed and the mobile phone was covered with soundproofing material, and a 5 mm thick piece of foam was placed between the phone and the subject's head.
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	Each participant attended two testing sessions approx. one week apart with real or sham exposure balanced for order. A double-blind crossover design was employed. For real exposures, the mobile phone was set at full power by a laptop while for sham exposures, the phone was in standby mode.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	0.23 W	mean	measured	-	-

Measurement and calculation details

The power output was measured in independent tests conducted by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).

Exposed system:

human
partial body: head (left ear)

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: cognitive functioning (8 different neuropsychological tests to test e.g. simple and choice reaction time, long-term memory, working memory, visuo-motor coordination, speed of intake of information)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

brain/CNS

Time of investigation:

before exposure
during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Simple and choice reaction times showed strong evidence of impairment indicating that the more basic functions were adversely affected by exposure. In contrast, performance on the Trail Making Test (to test visual motor tracking) improved, supporting the hypothesis that exposure to digital mobile phone improves the information processing speed held in working memory.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
double-blind study; cross-over study

Study funded by

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australia
Commonwealth Government of Australia

Comments on this article

Lewis MB (2007): Mobile phones are good for you, p

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