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Brain & Nervous System

An assessment of the autonomic nervous system in the electrohypersensitive population: a heart rate variability and skin conductance study.

No Effects Found

Andrianome S , Gobert J, Hugueville L, Stéphan-Blanchard E, Telliez F, Selmaoui B · 2017

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No measurable nervous system changes were detected in electromagnetic hypersensitive individuals during exposure to common wireless signals at environmental levels.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

French researchers studied whether people who report electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) have different nervous system responses compared to healthy controls, and whether exposure to common wireless signals affects their autonomic nervous system. They measured heart rate variability and skin conductance in 30 EHS individuals and 25 controls, then exposed 10 EHS participants to GSM, DECT, and Wi-Fi signals at environmental levels (1 V/m). The study found no significant differences in nervous system responses between EHS and control groups, and no measurable effects from the wireless exposures.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

The study examined exposure from: GSM 900, GSM 1800, DECT, and Wi-Fi

Study Details

The aim of the study was twofold: first, to compare the activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) between the population self-declared as electrohypersensitive (EHS) and their matched control individuals without intended exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). The second objective was to determine whether acute exposure to different radiofrequency signals modifies ANS activity in EHS.

For that purpose, two different experiments were undertaken, in which ANS activity was assessed thro...

The HRV variables studied did not differ between the two sessions. Concerning electrodermal activity...

In conclusion, the HRV and SC profiles did not significantly differ between the EHS and control populations under no exposure. Exposure did not have an effect on the ANS parameters we have explored.

Cite This Study
Andrianome S , Gobert J, Hugueville L, Stéphan-Blanchard E, Telliez F, Selmaoui B (2017). An assessment of the autonomic nervous system in the electrohypersensitive population: a heart rate variability and skin conductance study. J Appl Physiol (1985).123(5):1055-1062, 2017.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_2017_an_assessment_of_the_2864,
  author = {Andrianome S  and Gobert J and Hugueville L and Stéphan-Blanchard E and Telliez F and Selmaoui B},
  title = {An assessment of the autonomic nervous system in the electrohypersensitive population: a heart rate variability and skin conductance study.},
  year = {2017},
  doi = {10.1152/japplphysiol.00229.2017},
  url = {https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00229.2017},
}
DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00229.2017

Cited By (21 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

French researchers found no significant differences in heart rate variability between 30 people with electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) and 25 healthy controls. The study measured autonomic nervous system responses and concluded that EHS individuals don't have measurably different cardiovascular patterns compared to non-EHS people.
A 2017 study exposed 10 electromagnetically hypersensitive individuals to WiFi, GSM, and DECT signals at environmental levels (1 V/m) and found no significant effects on skin conductance. While some time variability occurred, wireless exposures didn't measurably change electrodermal activity in EHS participants.
Research testing DECT cordless phone signals alongside GSM 900, GSM 1800, and WiFi found no measurable effects on autonomic nervous system parameters. The study exposed electromagnetically hypersensitive individuals to environmental-level DECT radiation (1 V/m) and detected no significant changes in heart rate variability or skin conductance.
A controlled study comparing 30 electromagnetically hypersensitive individuals with 25 healthy controls found no objective differences in autonomic nervous system function. Heart rate variability and skin conductance measurements showed no significant variations between groups, suggesting EHS symptoms don't correlate with detectable physiological changes.
Researchers exposed electromagnetically hypersensitive participants to common wireless signals at 1 V/m (typical environmental levels) and found no significant effects on heart rate variability. The study tested GSM 900, GSM 1800, DECT, and WiFi frequencies but detected no measurable changes in cardiovascular autonomic responses.