Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The influence of the call with a mobile phone on heart rate variability parameters in healthy volunteers med./bio.

Published in: Ind Health 2008; 46 (4): 409-417

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of the call with a mobile phone on heart rate variability in young healthy people.

Background/further details

32 healthy students (18 women and 14 men) with normal electrocardiogram and echocardiogram at rest participated. ECG recordings were performed on sitting subject in a semi-darkened, quiet room between 8:00 and 9:00 in the morning.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,800 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 20 min
  • SAR: 0.48 W/kg maximum (10 g) (tested by the manufacturer)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,800 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 20 min
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Additional info

GSM

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber semi-darkened, temperature-controlled quiet laboratory at room temperature (21°C)
Setup The GSM mobile phone was held in the right hand during the call. It was switched on during the whole time of the experiment so that the effect of logging into the mobile phone network on the maximal emission of EMF could be avoided.
Additional info Recordings were made over three 20 min periods, i.e., before, during, and after the telephone call.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.48 W/kg maximum measured 10 g tested by the manufacturer

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

There were no statistically significant changes in mean, maximal and minimal heart rate neither in men nor in women. Time domain analysis parameters such as "standard deviation of all normal sinus RR intervals" and "standard deviation of the averaged normal sinus RR intervals for all 5-mm segments" were significantly increased during mobile phone exposure. Frequency domain analysis revealed statistically significant increase in very low frequency and low frequency power in women and in high frequency power in both genders. Statistically significant decreased low frequency/high frequency ratio was observed in exposed women.
These results suggest that the parasympathetic tone was increased while sympathetic tone was lowered during mobile phone exposure. The authors conclude that the observed changes in heart rate variability could be affected by electromagnetic field but the influence of speaking cannot be excluded.

Study character:

Study funded by

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