RF-EMF exposure effects on sleep - Age doesn't matter in men!

Abstract

RF-EMF exposure effects on sleep - Age doesn't matter in men! Torsten Eggert, Hans Dorn, Cornelia Sauter, Gernot Schmid, Heidi Danker-Hopfe. RF-EMF exposure effects on sleep - Age doesn't matter in men! Environ Res. 2020 Sep 12;110173. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110173. Abstract Background: Although there are several human experimental studies on short-term effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on sleep, the role of effect modification by sex or age in this context has not yet been considered. In an earlier study, we observed sex differences in RF-EMF effects in elderly subjects. The present study investigated possible RF-EMF effect modifications by age in men. Methods: Data available for the present analysis come from three double-blind, randomized cross-over studies, in which effects of different RF-EMF exposure signals on sleep were investigated in young [sample 1: 25.3 (mean) ± 2.6 (SD) years; sample 2: 25.4 ± 2.6 years; n=30, respectively] and older (69.1 ± 5.5 years; n=30) healthy male volunteers. Studies comprised a screening/adaptation night followed by nine experimental nights at two- week intervals. RF-EMF exposure effect modifications by age were analysed for two different exposure signals (GSM900 at 2 W/kg, TETRA at 6 W/kg), each compared to a sham exposure. Polysomnography, during which the exposure signals were delivered by a head worn antenna, as well as sleep staging were performed according to the AASM standard. Four subjective and 30 objective sleep parameters were statistically analysed related to possible RF-EMF effects. Results: Comparisons of sleep parameters observed under sham exposure revealed highly pronounced physiological differences between young and elderly men. A consistent exposure effect in both age groups was found for a shorter latency to persistent sleep under TETRA exposure reflecting a sleep-promoting effect. Exposure effect modifications by age were observed for two of the four self-reported sleep parameters following GSM900 exposure and for arousals during REM sleep under TETRA exposure. Conclusions: As effects of a short-term all-night RF-EMF exposure on sleep occurred only sporadically in young and elderly men, it seems that age doesn't matter in this respect. However, as long as there are no corresponding data from young healthy women that would allow a comparison with the data from elderly women, this assumption cannot be conclusively verified. Nevertheless, the present results are not indicative of any adverse health effects. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Across three double-blind randomized cross-over studies in young and older men, a consistent effect in both age groups was a shorter latency to persistent sleep under TETRA exposure (interpreted as sleep-promoting). Age-related effect modification was reported for two of four self-reported sleep parameters after GSM900 exposure and for arousals during REM sleep under TETRA exposure; overall effects were described as sporadic and not indicative of adverse health effects.

Outcomes measured

• Sleep (polysomnography; sleep staging per AASM)
• Subjective sleep parameters (4 self-reported)
• Objective sleep parameters (30 objective measures)
• Latency to persistent sleep
• Arousals during REM sleep

Limitations

• Effect modification by sex could not be assessed; authors note lack of corresponding data from young healthy women for comparison with elderly women
• Short-term all-night exposure context (as described)

{
    "study_type": "other",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "head worn antenna",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "short-term all-night exposure; nine experimental nights at two-week intervals"
    },
    "population": "Healthy male volunteers (young and older men)",
    "sample_size": 90,
    "outcomes": [
        "Sleep (polysomnography; sleep staging per AASM)",
        "Subjective sleep parameters (4 self-reported)",
        "Objective sleep parameters (30 objective measures)",
        "Latency to persistent sleep",
        "Arousals during REM sleep"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Across three double-blind randomized cross-over studies in young and older men, a consistent effect in both age groups was a shorter latency to persistent sleep under TETRA exposure (interpreted as sleep-promoting). Age-related effect modification was reported for two of four self-reported sleep parameters after GSM900 exposure and for arousals during REM sleep under TETRA exposure; overall effects were described as sporadic and not indicative of adverse health effects.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Effect modification by sex could not be assessed; authors note lack of corresponding data from young healthy women for comparison with elderly women",
        "Short-term all-night exposure context (as described)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "moderate",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "RF-EMF",
        "sleep",
        "polysomnography",
        "AASM",
        "double-blind",
        "randomized",
        "cross-over",
        "GSM900",
        "TETRA",
        "SAR",
        "age effect modification",
        "men"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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