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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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Heart rate variability and skin conductance did not differ between electrohypersensitive and control groups, and acute exposure to GSM, DECT, and Wi-Fi at 1 V/m had no effect on autonomic parameters.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers compared autonomic nervous system activity in 30 self-declared electrohypersensitive participants and 25 matched controls using heart rate variability and skin conductance. The electrohypersensitive group showed more skin conductance responses to auditory stimuli, while short-term heart rate variability did not differ between groups. In a double-blind, counterbalanced session, 10 electrohypersensitive volunteers were exposed to GSM 900, GSM 1800, DECT, and Wi-Fi at 1 V/m. No changes in heart rate variability or skin conductance were observed during or after exposure.

Why This Matters

The study aimed to compare autonomic function in people who report electromagnetic hypersensitivity with matched controls and to test whether short-term radiofrequency exposure alters that function. During the exposure sessions, skin conductance and tonic activity showed variability over time but did not differ between sham and real exposure.

Exposure Details

Electric Field
1 V/m
Source/Device
GSM 900, GSM 1800, DECT, and Wi-Fi

Exposure Context

This study used 1 V/m for electric fields:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

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

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

The study aimed to compare autonomic nervous system activity between self-declared electrohypersensitive individuals and matched controls, and to determine whether acute radiofrequency exposure modifies that activity.
The first experiment included 30 electrohypersensitive participants and 25 matched controls.
Participants were exposed to GSM 900, GSM 1800, DECT, and Wi-Fi signals at an environmental level of 1 V/m.
Heart rate variability did not differ between sham and exposure sessions, and exposure had no effect on the autonomic parameters measured.