A 50-Hz electromagnetic field impairs sleep.

PAPER pubmed Journal of sleep research 1999 Other Effect: mixed Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2869.1999.00100.x PMID: 10188140 Evidence Lab

Abstract

In view of reports of health problems induced by low frequency (50-60 Hz) electromagnetic fields (EMF), we carried out a study in 18 healthy subjects, comparing sleep with and without exposure to a 50 Hz/1 mu Tesla electrical field. We found that the EMF condition was associated with reduced: total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency, stages 3 + 4 slow wave sleep (SWS), and slow wave activity (SWA). Circulating melatonin, growth hormone, prolactin, testosterone or cortisol were not affected. The results suggest that commonly occurring low frequency electromagnetic fields may interfere with sleep.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Other

Effect direction

mixed

Population

18 healthy subjects

Sample size

Exposure

ELF · 0.05 MHz

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 74% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 18 healthy subjects, sleep during exposure to a 50 Hz/1 µT electrical field was associated with reduced total sleep time, sleep efficiency, stages 3+4 slow wave sleep, and slow wave activity compared with no exposure. Circulating melatonin, growth hormone, prolactin, testosterone, and cortisol were not affected.

Outcomes measured

Total sleep time (TST)
Sleep efficiency
Stages 3+4 slow wave sleep (SWS)
Slow wave activity (SWA)
Circulating melatonin
Growth hormone
Prolactin
Testosterone
Cortisol

Limitations

Small sample size (n=18)
Exposure duration not reported in abstract
Study design details (e.g., randomization/blinding/crossover) not reported in abstract

Suggested hubs

occupational-exposure (0.3)
Study concerns low-frequency (50 Hz) EMF exposure, which can be relevant to occupational/environmental ELF exposure contexts, though the source is not specified in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "other",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 0.05000000000000000277555756156289135105907917022705078125,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "18 healthy subjects",
    "sample_size": 18,
    "outcomes": [
        "Total sleep time (TST)",
        "Sleep efficiency",
        "Stages 3+4 slow wave sleep (SWS)",
        "Slow wave activity (SWA)",
        "Circulating melatonin",
        "Growth hormone",
        "Prolactin",
        "Testosterone",
        "Cortisol"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In 18 healthy subjects, sleep during exposure to a 50 Hz/1 µT electrical field was associated with reduced total sleep time, sleep efficiency, stages 3+4 slow wave sleep, and slow wave activity compared with no exposure. Circulating melatonin, growth hormone, prolactin, testosterone, and cortisol were not affected.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Small sample size (n=18)",
        "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
        "Study design details (e.g., randomization/blinding/crossover) not reported in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "ELF EMF",
        "50 Hz",
        "1 µT",
        "sleep",
        "slow wave sleep",
        "slow wave activity",
        "melatonin",
        "hormones"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.299999999999999988897769753748434595763683319091796875,
            "reason": "Study concerns low-frequency (50 Hz) EMF exposure, which can be relevant to occupational/environmental ELF exposure contexts, though the source is not specified in the abstract."
        }
    ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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