Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Modulation of cardiac rhythm in the humans exposed to extremely weak alternating magnetic fields med./bio.

Published in: Biophysics 2008; 53 (6): 648-654

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of extremely weak alternating magnetic fields of various types on the heart rate variability in humans.

Background/further details

25 volunteers (17 men, 8 women) participated.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 76 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 15 min. to 40 min.
Exposure 2: 3 kHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 15 min. to 40 min.
Exposure 3: 18.8 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 15 min. to 40 min.
Exposure 4: 30.65 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 15 min. to 40 min.

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 76 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 15 min. to 40 min.
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • four square coils in Merrit's configuration
Setup inner coils with 36 turns of 0.5 mm diameter copper wire, outer coils with 85 turns of the same wire; wooden chair placed inside the coil system for the volunteers to be seated
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1.6 µT - - - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 3 kHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 15 min. to 40 min.
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.192 µT - - - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 18.8 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 15 min. to 40 min.
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1.6 µT - - - -

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 30.65 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 15 min. to 40 min.
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1.6 µT - - - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed that the extremely weak alternating magnetic field exposure could both increase and decrease the magnitude of stress in humans. In particular, the field tuned to the nuclear spins of hydrogen atoms (1.6 µT, 76 Hz) decreased the Baevsky stress index, whereas the field tuned to the magnetic moments formed by the orbiting electrons in some atoms (0.192 µT, 3000 Hz) increased this index.
These findings provide a possible explanation for the mechanisms of adverse effects caused by extremely weak alternating magnetic fields of certain types on the human cardiovascular system.

Study character:

Study funded by

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