Epidemiological study (observational study)

Symptoms, personality traits, and stress in people with mobile phone-related symptoms and electromagnetic hypersensitivity epidem.

By: Johansson A, Nordin S, Heiden M, Sandstrom M

Published in: J Psychosom Res 2010; 68 (1): 37-45

The prevalence of EMF-related and EMF-nonrelated symptoms, anxiety, depression, somatization, exhaustion and stress was assessed in persons with mobile phone-related symptoms or electromagnetic hypersensitivity in a study conducted in Sweden. Furthermore both groups were compared to a population-based sample and a control sample without EMF-related symptoms.

The study participants were divided into four groups: the MP (mobile phone) group consisted of 45 subjects with mobile-phone related symptoms, the EHS (electromagnetic hypersensitivity) group of 71 subjects with electromagnetic hypersensitivity, population-based sample group included 106 participants, 63 of this group without EMF-related symptoms formed the control group.

sleep disturbances
electromagnetic hypersensitivity: dizziness, discomfort, concentration, memory loss, fatigue, headaches, warmth behind/around ear, warmth on ear, burning skin, tingling/tightness, tinnitus, numbness
anxiety, depression, somatization, exhaustion and stress

Type of risk estimation:

- 50/60 Hz
- magnetic field
- PC/TV monitor
- other domestic appliance
- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- personal

Statistical analysis method:

The electromagnetic hypersensitivity group reported more symptoms than the group with mobile phone-related symptoms, both electromagnetic field related and not electromagnetic field related. The MP group reported more somatosensory symptoms whereas the EHS group reported more neurasthenic symptoms. Compared to the reference groups the MP group showed increased levels of exhaustion and depression but not of anxiety, somatization, and stress. The EHS group showed increased levels for all conditions except for stress. The authors concluded that there are differences between people with mobile phone related symptoms and people with electromagnetic hypersensitivity with respect to symptoms and anxiety, depression, somatozation, exhaustion, and stress.

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