The effect of electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile... : NeuroReport (original) (raw)

SLEEP

The effect of electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones on human sleep

Loughran, Sarah P.a; Wood, Andrew W.a; Barton, Julie M.a; Croft, Rodney J.a; Thompson, Bruceb; Stough, Cona

aBrain Sciences Institute, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn

bAllergy Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Correspondence and requests for reprints to A/Prof. Andrew W. Wood, Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, John St, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia

Tel: +61 3 9214 8867; fax: +61 3 9819 0856; e-mail: [email protected]

Sponsorship: Study supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (Grant: 154905).

Received 7 September 2005; accepted 12 September 2005

Abstract

Previous research has suggested that exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields increases electroencephalogram spectral power in non-rapid eye movement sleep. Other sleep parameters have also been affected following exposure. We examined whether aspects of sleep architecture show sensitivity to electromagnetic fields emitted by digital mobile phone handsets. Fifty participants were exposed to electromagnetic fields for 30 min prior to sleep. Results showed a decrease in rapid eye movement sleep latency and increased electroencephalogram spectral power in the 11.5–12.25 Hz frequency range during the initial part of sleep following exposure. These results are evidence that mobile phone exposure prior to sleep may promote rapid eye movement sleep and modify the sleep electroencephalogram in the first non-rapid eye movement sleep period.