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The effect of mobile phone electromagnetic fields on the alpha rhythm of human electroencephalogram.

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Croft RJ, Hamblin DL, Spong J, Wood AW, McKenzie RJ, Stough C · 2008

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A double-blind study of 120 healthy participants confirmed that MP-type radiation increased EEG alpha power during exposure, with the effect larger on the same side as the exposure source.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers tested 120 healthy participants in a double-blind, counterbalanced crossover design, with each person receiving a 30-minute active and a 30-minute sham exposure one week apart while EEG data were recorded. The purpose of the study was to test one of the strongest findings in the literature, that of increased alpha power in response to MP-type radiation. Overall alpha power was enhanced during exposure, with the effect larger at sites on the same side as the exposure source than on the opposite side over posterior regions. After exposure ended, no overall change to alpha power was observed, though there was less alpha power contralateral to the exposure source relative to the ipsilateral side.

Why This Matters

The researchers used a double-blind counterbalanced crossover design, meaning every participant experienced both the active and sham conditions. Resting alpha power, defined as activity in the 8 to 12 Hz frequency band, was tracked over time for periods both during and following exposure. Non-parametric analyses were used because the data could not be normalized. The researchers characterized their methodology as strong and described their findings as supporting previous research that reported an effect of MP exposure on EEG alpha power.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.674 and 0.110 W/kg
Source/Device
895 MHz GSM Mobile Phone
Exposure Duration
30 days

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.674 and 0.110 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 15 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 895 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 895 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The purpose of the present study was to test one of the strongest findings in the literature; that of increased "alpha" power in response to MP-type radiation.

Healthy participants (N = 120) were tested using a double‐blind counterbalanced crossover design, wi...

Non‐parametric analyses were employed as data could not be normalized. Previous reports of an overal...

Employing a strong methodology, the current findings support previous research that has reported an effect of MP exposure on EEG alpha power

Cite This Study
Croft RJ, Hamblin DL, Spong J, Wood AW, McKenzie RJ, Stough C (2008). The effect of mobile phone electromagnetic fields on the alpha rhythm of human electroencephalogram. Bioelectromagnetics. 29(1):1-10, 2008.
Show BibTeX
@article{rj_2008_the_effect_of_mobile_81,
  author = {Croft RJ and Hamblin DL and Spong J and Wood AW and McKenzie RJ and Stough C},
  title = {The effect of mobile phone electromagnetic fields on the alpha rhythm of human electroencephalogram.},
  year = {2008},
  doi = {10.1002/bem.20352},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.20352},
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.20352

Cited By (97 papers)

View all 97 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Each of the 120 healthy participants received a 30-minute active and a 30-minute sham exposure one week apart in a double-blind, counterbalanced crossover design.
Overall alpha power was enhanced during active exposure relative to sham, with the effect larger at sites on the same side as the exposure source than on the opposite side over posterior regions.
No overall change to alpha power was observed after exposure ended, though there was less alpha power contralateral to the exposure source relative to the ipsilateral side.
The researchers defined resting alpha power as activity in the 8 to 12 Hz frequency band.
The study aimed to test one of the strongest findings in the literature, that of increased alpha power in response to MP-type radiation.