Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Pulsed and continuous wave mobile phone exposure over left versus right hemisphere: effects on human cognitive function med./bio.

By: Haarala C, Takio F, Rintee T, Laine M, Koivisto M, Revonsuo A, Hämäläinen H

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2007; 28 (4): 289-295

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To assess the effects of both continuous wave and pulsed wave electromagnetic fields on human cognitive function as measured by behavioral tests in 36 healthy male subjects. The subjects performed the same tasks twice during each session; once with left-sided and once with right-sided exposure.

Background/further details

The same cognitive tasks that were used in previous studies were employed (see publication 12332, publication 11186, publication 9851, publication 3601, and publication 4728).

Endpoint

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: cognitive function

Exposure

- mobile communications
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 902 MHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: continuous for approx. 90 min	power: 0.25 W mean SAR: 0.738 W/kg average over mass (10 g) SAR: 1.1 W/kg average over mass (1 g) SAR: 1.18 W/kg peak value
Exposure 2: 902 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for approx. 90 min	power: 0.25 W mean SAR: 0.738 W/kg average over mass (10 g) SAR: 1.1 W/kg average over mass (1 g) SAR: 1.18 W/kg peak value

General information

Each subject participated in three sessions (CW, PM, and sham exposure), separated by 1 week. The tasks were performed twice during each session, once with left-sided and once with right-sided exposure. The exposed hemisphere, EMF condition, and test order were counterbalanced over all subjects, and a double-blind design was employed. An additional control group performed the same tasks without any exposure equipment.

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	902 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for approx. 90 min

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	dummy mobile phone antenna, signal generator
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	20 mm
Chamber	The subjects were seated on a desk chair approx. 1 m from a computer screen. The signal generator and the power amplifier were located in an adjacent room.
Setup	The dummy mobile phone was attached to the subject's head using an earmuff without metal parts, in which one of the protectors was replaced. The phone was positioned as in normal use. The antenna was located approx. 20 mm from the scalp over the posterior temporal lobe in the left-side exposure, and over the inferior and posterior temporal lobe in the right-side exposure. The difference between hemispheres was due to the asymmetrical position of the antenna.
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	0.25 W	mean	measured	-	-
SAR	0.738 W/kg	average over mass	measured	10 g	-
SAR	1.1 W/kg	average over mass	measured	1 g	-
SAR	1.18 W/kg	peak value	measured	-	-

Additional parameter details

The background radiation in the frequency range of 10-20 kHz was less than 400 nT.

Measurement and calculation details

The power at the amplifier output was measured approx. every 2 weeks using a power meter, and the EMF head-set was occasionally tested in a spot check fashion. The SAR was measured with a Dosimetric Assessment System (DASY4) and an adult generic twin phantom filled with 900 MHz head tissue simulating liquid.

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	902 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for approx. 90 min

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	0.577 ms
Repetition frequency	217 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	0.25 W	mean	measured	-	-
SAR	0.738 W/kg	average over mass	measured	10 g	-
SAR	1.1 W/kg	average over mass	measured	1 g	-
SAR	1.18 W/kg	peak value	measured	-	-

Exposed system:

human
partial body: head (left and right side)

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: cognitive function (different reaction time tasks; subtraction task; verification task; vigilance task; short-term memory (memory load was varied from 0 to 3 items in a n-back task with visual stimuli))

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

brain/CNS

Time of investigation:

during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No effects were found between the different electromagnetic field conditions, separate hemisphere exposures, or between the control (n=16) and experimental exposed group. The data indicate that normal mobile phones have no discernible effect on human cognitive function.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
double-blind study

Study funded by

Forschungsgemeinschaft Funk e.V. (FGF) (Research Association for Radio Applications), Germany
University of Turku, Finland

Verrender A et al. (2016): Pulse modulated radiofrequency exposure influences cognitive performance
Loughran SP et al. (2013): No increased sensitivity in brain activity of adolescents exposed to mobile phone-like emissions
Mortazavi SM et al. (2012): Human short-term exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones decreases computer-assisted visual reaction time
Ng TP et al. (2012): Long-term digital mobile phone use and cognitive decline in the elderly
Schmid MR et al. (2012): Sleep EEG alterations: effects of different pulse-modulated radio frequency electromagnetic fields
Sauter C et al. (2011): Effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by GSM 900 and WCDMA mobile phones on cognitive function in young male subjects
Wiholm C et al. (2009): Mobile phone exposure and spatial memory
Kwon MS et al. (2009): Preattentive auditory information processing under exposure to the 902 MHz GSM mobile phone electromagnetic field: a mismatch negativity (MMN) study
Hountala CD et al. (2008): The spectral power coherence of the EEG under different EMF conditions
Kleinlogel H et al. (2008): Effects of weak mobile phone - electromagnetic fields (GSM, UMTS) on event related potentials and cognitive functions
Wiholm C et al. (2007): The Effects of 884 MHz GSM Wireless Communication Signals on Spatial Memory Performance: An Experimental Provocation Study
Regel SJ et al. (2007): Pulsed radio frequency radiation affects cognitive performance and the waking electroencephalogram
Fritzer G et al. (2007): Effects of short- and long-term pulsed radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on night sleep and cognitive functions in healthy subjects
Krause CM et al. (2007): Effects of pulsed and continuous wave 902 MHz mobile phone exposure on brain oscillatory activity during cognitive processing
Keetley V et al. (2006): Neuropsychological sequelae of digital mobile phone exposure in humans
Lass J et al. (2006): Are there modulated Electromagnetic Field Effects on Human Conscious Perception during Attentional Blink Test?
Terao Y et al. (2006): Effects of thirty-minute mobile phone use on visuo-motor reaction time
Russo R et al. (2006): Does acute exposure to mobile phones affect human attention?
Haarala C et al. (2005): Electromagnetic field emitted by 902 MHz mobile phones shows no effects on children's cognitive function
Preece AW et al. (2005): Effect of 902 MHz mobile phone transmission on cognitive function in children
Besset A et al. (2005): No effect on cognitive function from daily mobile phone use
Papageorgiou CC et al. (2004): Gender related differences on the EEG during a simulated mobile phone signal
Haarala C et al. (2004): 902 MHz mobile phone does not affect short term memory in humans
Krause CM et al. (2004): Effects of electromagnetic field emitted by cellular phones on the EEG during an auditory memory task: a double blind replication study
Smythe JW et al. (2003): Mobile phone use facilitates memory in male, but not female, subjects
Kramarenko AV et al. (2003): Effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields on human EEG: a brain mapping study
Zwamborn APM et al. (2003): Effects of Global Communication system radio-frequency fields on Well Being and Cognitive Functions of human subjects with and without subjective complaints
Haarala C et al. (2003): Effect of a 902 MHz electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phones on human cognitive function: A replication study
Edelstyn N et al. (2002): The acute effects of exposure to the electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phones on human attention
Lee TM et al. (2001): Effect on human attention of exposure to the electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phones
Koivisto M et al. (2000): The effects of electromagnetic field emitted by GSM phones on working memory
Koivisto M et al. (2000): Effects of 902 MHz electromagnetic field emitted by cellular telephones on response times in humans
Krause CM et al. (2000): Effects of electromagnetic field emitted by cellular phones on the EEG during a memory task
Petrides M (2000): Exposure to electromagnetic fields by using cellular telephones and its influence on the brain
Krause CM et al. (2000): Effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by cellular phones on the electroencephalogram during a visual working memory task
Preece AW et al. (1999): Effect of a 915-MHz simulated mobile phone signal on cognitive function in man

Pulsed and continuous wave mobile phone exposure over left versus right hemisphere: effects on human cognitive function med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

General information

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Additional parameter details

Measurement and calculation details

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

Related articles