Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The application of surface plethysmography for heart rate variability analysis after GSM radiofrequency exposure med./bio.

Published in: J Biochem Biophys Methods 2006; 69 (1-2): 233-236
Journal partially peer-reviewed/peer-review process unclear

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The aim of this study was to test whether the electromagnetic field emitted by standard GSM mobile phones results in changes in heart rate and heart rate variability in humans.

Background/further details

Thirty-five healthy male and female subjects (mean age: 22 years) participated. In each experimental session, 150 individual heart beats were analysed. Photoplethysmography measurements were taken 0, 30, 50, and 70 minutes after exposure and compared to ECG analyses.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 10 min
  • power: 2 W peak value
  • SAR: 1.3 W/kg maximum

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 10 min
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Pulse width 0.58 ms
Repetition frequency 217 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup RF exposure was tested in a randomised one-shot repeated measures design. Both groups (RF and sham) were first examined in a supine resting and then in a standing position each lasting for 5 min.
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info The sham group held the phone in the same position that was connected to a dummy load to avoid RF exposure [Parazzini et al., 2005].
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 2 W peak value - - -
SAR 1.3 W/kg maximum - - -

Reference articles

  • Parazzini M et al. (2005): Influence on the mechanisms of generation of distortion product otoacoustic emissions of mobile phone exposure

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

There was no significant difference in the values of heart rate and heart rate variability between the radio frequency exposure and the sham exposure groups neither using ECG nor using photoplethysmography. The radio frequency fields emitted by cellular phones did not cause observable effects on the regulation of heart rate in healthy, young adults.

Study character:

Study funded by

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