Medical/biological study (observational study)

Neurophysiological study of patients with perceived 'electrical hypersensitivity' med./bio.

By: Lyskov E, Sandström M, Hansson Mild K

Published in: Int J Psychophysiol 2001; 42 (3): 233-241

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the baseline neurophysiological characteristics of the central and autonomous nervous system regulation and their reactivity to different functional tests in patients with perceived electrosensitivity in comparison to a control group.

Background/further details

20 hypersensitive patients and 20 control subjects participated in the study. The neurophysiological parameters were measured before and during the functional tests (e.g., heart rate during rest and standing). Electromagnetic field exposure was not performed, but the groups were characterized.

Endpoint

hypersensitivity/subjective complaints

Exposure

- not extractable

No exposure details are available.

Exposed system:

human

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the cardiovascular system: blood pressure, heart rate (ECG; during rest and standing)
effects on the neurological system: critical fusion frequency, EEG (visual evoked potentials (VEP))
hypersensitivity/subjective complaints: self-reported complaints (tiredness, fatigue, headache, dizziness, breathing difficulties, vomiting, skin symptoms (tingling, itching, redness, dryness) and ocular symptoms (eye fatigue, eye irritation)
electrodermal activity (during response to audio tones), respiration

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Several neurophysiological variables were found to differ between the hypersensitive patients and the control group. The mean value of the heart rate in rest condition was higher in the patient group compared to the control group whereas heart rate variability and response to the functional test were decreased in the patient group. Patients also showed differences in the electrodermal activity and in the visual evoked potentials. They had a higher critical fusion frequency.
The authors concluded that the observed group of patients had a trend to a hypertone of the sympathetic nervous system, hyperresponsiveness to sensor stimulation and heightened arousal.

Study character:

medical/biological study
observational study

Study funded by

Swedish Work Environment Fund

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