Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The application of surface plethysmography for heart rate variability analysis after GSM radiofrequency exposure med./bio.

By: Atlasz T, Kellenyi L, Kovacs P, Babai N, Thuroczy G, Hejjel L, Hernadi I

Published in: J Biochem Biophys Methods 2006; 69 (1-2): 233-236

Journal partially peer-reviewed/peer-review process unclear

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The aim of this study was to test whether the electromagnetic field emitted by standard GSM mobile phones results in changes in heart rate and heart rate variability in humans.

Background/further details

Thirty-five healthy male and female subjects (mean age: 22 years) participated. In each experimental session, 150 individual heart beats were analysed. Photoplethysmography measurements were taken 0, 30, 50, and 70 minutes after exposure and compared to ECG analyses.

Endpoint

effects on the cardiovascular system: heart rate, heart rate variability

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 10 min	power: 2 W peak value SAR: 1.3 W/kg maximum

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 10 min

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	0.58 ms
Repetition frequency	217 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone software-controlled [Parazzini et al., 2005]
Setup	RF exposure was tested in a randomised one-shot repeated measures design. Both groups (RF and sham) were first examined in a supine resting and then in a standing position each lasting for 5 min.
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	The sham group held the phone in the same position that was connected to a dummy load to avoid RF exposure [Parazzini et al., 2005].

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	2 W	peak value	-	-	-
SAR	1.3 W/kg	maximum	-	-	-

Reference articles

Parazzini M et al. (2005): Influence on the mechanisms of generation of distortion product otoacoustic emissions of mobile phone exposure

Exposed system:

human
partial body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the cardiovascular system: heart rate, heart rate variability (photoplethysmography and electrocardiogram)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

cardiovascular system

Time of investigation:

before exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

There was no significant difference in the values of heart rate and heart rate variability between the radio frequency exposure and the sham exposure groups neither using ECG nor using photoplethysmography. The radio frequency fields emitted by cellular phones did not cause observable effects on the regulation of heart rate in healthy, young adults.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
pilot/exploratory/preliminary study

Study funded by

European Project GUARD ("Potential adverse effects of GSM cellular phones on hearing")
European Union (EU)/European Commission
MTA-PTE Adaption Biology Research Group, Hungary

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