Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Influence of 50 Hz magnetic field on human heart rate variablilty: Linear and nonlinear analysis med./bio.

By: Tabor Z, Michalski J, Rokita E

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2004; 25 (6): 474-480

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To compare heart rate signals recorded during 50 Hz magnetic field with heart rate signals acquired under environmental conditions. The exposure system was a commercial device for magnetotherapy.

Endpoint

effects on the cardiovascular system: heart rate

Exposure

- 50/60 Hz
- magnetic field

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz Exposure duration: continuous for 1 h	magnetic flux density: 500 µT unspecified (in the center of the coil) magnetic flux density: 20 µT minimum (at the head position) magnetic flux density: 30 µT maximum (at the head position) magnetic flux density: 150 µT minimum (at the heart position) magnetic flux density: 200 µT maximum (at the heart position)
Exposure 2: 50 Hz Exposure duration: intermittent, 30 min off (sham exposure) followed by 30 min magnetic field exposure	magnetic flux density: 500 µT unspecified (in the center of the coil) magnetic flux density: 20 µT minimum (at the head position) magnetic flux density: 30 µT maximum (at the head position) magnetic flux density: 150 µT minimum (at the heart position) magnetic flux density: 200 µT maximum (at the heart position)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Waveform	sinusoidal
Exposure duration	continuous for 1 h

Exposure setup

Exposure source	coil(s) magnetotherapy device
Setup	The subjects lay on a couch inside the coil (20 cm long x 60 cm in diameter) which was placed at the position of the subject`s hips

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	500 µT	unspecified	measured	-	in the center of the coil
magnetic flux density	20 µT	minimum	measured	-	at the head position
magnetic flux density	30 µT	maximum	measured	-	at the head position
magnetic flux density	150 µT	minimum	measured	-	at the heart position
magnetic flux density	200 µT	maximum	measured	-	at the heart position

Measurement and calculation details

The magnetic field was measured with a Tesla meter.

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	magnetic field
Waveform	sinusoidal
Exposure duration	intermittent, 30 min off (sham exposure) followed by 30 min magnetic field exposure

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	500 µT	unspecified	measured	-	in the center of the coil
magnetic flux density	20 µT	minimum	measured	-	at the head position
magnetic flux density	30 µT	maximum	measured	-	at the head position
magnetic flux density	150 µT	minimum	measured	-	at the heart position
magnetic flux density	200 µT	maximum	measured	-	at the heart position

Exposed system:

human
partial body: hip

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the cardiovascular system: heart rate variability (mean time between heart beats and standard deviation; pNN50 (number of differences of successive beat-to-beat intervals > 50 ms, divided by the total number of beat-to-beat intervals); phonocardiography)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

cardiovascular system

Time of investigation:

before exposure
during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Statistical analysis (repeated measures ANOVA) performed for sham exposure (magnetic field-off/magnetic field-off protocol) indicated no statistical difference of heart rate variability data. Repeated measures ANOVA followed by another statistical test (post hoc Tukey test) performed for exposure (magnetic field-off/magnetic field-on protocol) indicated a statistically significant difference during magnetic field on for mean time between heart beats (8% increase), standard deviation between heart beats (40% increase), and pNN50 (110% increase).
The data of the analysis indicate that the changes of these parameters could be associated with the influence of magnetic field.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Binboğa E et al. (2021): The Short-Term Effect of Occupational Levels of 50 Hz Electromagnetic Field on Human Heart Rate Variability
Okano H et al. (2021): A 50 Hz magnetic field affects hemodynamics, ECG and vascular endothelial function in healthy adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Elmas O et al. (2012): Effects of short-term exposure to powerline-frequency electromagnetic field on the electrical activity of the heart
McNamee DA et al. (2011): The response of the human circulatory system to an acute 200-muT, 60-Hz magnetic field exposure
McNamee DA et al. (2010): The cardiovascular response to an acute 1800-microT, 60-Hz magnetic field exposure in humans
Lednev VV et al. (2008): Modulation of cardiac rhythm in the humans exposed to extremely weak alternating magnetic fields
Baldi E et al. (2007): A pilot investigation of the effect of extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields on humans' heart rate variability
Santangelo L et al. (2005): Magnetic field exposure and arrythmic risk: evaluation in railway drivers
Borjanovic SS et al. (2005): ECG changes in humans exposed to 50 Hz magnetic fields
Graham C et al. (2000): Exposure to strong ELF magnetic fields does not alter cardiac autonomic control mechanisms

Influence of 50 Hz magnetic field on human heart rate variablilty: Linear and nonlinear analysis med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Measurement and calculation details

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

Related articles