Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on cognitive function in elderly subjects (60+ years)-Results of an experimental randomized sham controlled double-blind cross-over study in women and in men.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: During the regular use of digital communication devices, the human head is exposed to different levels of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). Several experimental human studies on possible effects of RF-EMF from different technical systems on cognitive performance over the last decades show contradictory results. Most of the results come from studies with young male participants. OBJECTIVES: The present study examined whether cognitive functions of older women and men are more vulnerable and therefore may react differently to RF-EMF exposure than younger individuals. METHODS: Sixty healthy women (30) and men (30) between the ages of 60 and 80 years took part in a double-blind randomized sham-controlled experimental study. All participants completed four different attentional tasks in nine separate sessions, separated by two weeks, while being exposed to either RF-EMF of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM 900 MHz), Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA 385 MHz) signals, or sham in three sessions each. RESULTS: Two performance outcome measures out of 16 were statistically significantly affected by exposure in women only: accuracy in an n-back task was worse under GSM exposure in the easier version and under TETRA exposure in the highest level of the task. Performance of women and men did not differ significantly. Only one significant sex-exposure interaction effect was observed under TETRA exposure, indicating a better performance in men, and a worse performance in women as compared to sham. DISCUSSION: Overall, cognitive performance of healthy elderly participants was not affected by short-term RF-EMF exposure, which corresponds to the results of the most recent comprehensive meta-analyses for the non-elderly population. No conclusion can be drawn for older adults with health-related restrictions or disorders, or effects from long-term exposure.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In 60 healthy adults aged 60–80 years, overall cognitive performance during four attentional tasks was not affected by short-term RF-EMF exposure (GSM 900 MHz or TETRA 385 MHz) compared with sham. Two of 16 performance outcomes showed statistically significant effects in women only (worse n-back accuracy under GSM in the easier version and under TETRA at the highest level), and one significant sex-by-exposure interaction under TETRA indicated better performance in men and worse performance in women versus sham.

Outcomes measured

• Cognitive performance (attentional tasks)
• Accuracy in n-back task

Limitations

• Short-term exposure only; long-term effects not assessed
• Findings limited to healthy elderly participants; not generalizable to older adults with health-related restrictions or disorders
• Only 2 of 16 outcomes were statistically significant and limited to women; potential for chance findings with multiple outcomes (not further detailed in abstract)

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.2)
  Experimental human RF-EMF exposure study relevant to broader RF health evidence base often summarized by WHO/ICNIRP (no direct mention in abstract).

{
    "study_type": "randomized_trial",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile/land mobile radio signals (GSM, TETRA)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "short-term exposure during task performance across nine sessions (three GSM, three TETRA, three sham), sessions separated by two weeks"
    },
    "population": "Healthy adults aged 60–80 years (women and men)",
    "sample_size": 60,
    "outcomes": [
        "Cognitive performance (attentional tasks)",
        "Accuracy in n-back task"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In 60 healthy adults aged 60–80 years, overall cognitive performance during four attentional tasks was not affected by short-term RF-EMF exposure (GSM 900 MHz or TETRA 385 MHz) compared with sham. Two of 16 performance outcomes showed statistically significant effects in women only (worse n-back accuracy under GSM in the easier version and under TETRA at the highest level), and one significant sex-by-exposure interaction under TETRA indicated better performance in men and worse performance in women versus sham.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Short-term exposure only; long-term effects not assessed",
        "Findings limited to healthy elderly participants; not generalizable to older adults with health-related restrictions or disorders",
        "Only 2 of 16 outcomes were statistically significant and limited to women; potential for chance findings with multiple outcomes (not further detailed in abstract)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "moderate",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "RF-EMF",
        "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
        "cognitive function",
        "elderly",
        "double-blind",
        "randomized",
        "sham-controlled",
        "cross-over",
        "GSM 900 MHz",
        "TETRA 385 MHz",
        "n-back",
        "attention",
        "sex differences"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "who-icnirp",
            "weight": 0.200000000000000011102230246251565404236316680908203125,
            "reason": "Experimental human RF-EMF exposure study relevant to broader RF health evidence base often summarized by WHO/ICNIRP (no direct mention in abstract)."
        }
    ]
}

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