Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Sleep Disturbances

Abstract

PP-29-108 Background/Aims: Possible effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on sleep impairments are of public concern. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between RF-EMF exposure and sleep disturbances. Methods: A total of 1375 randomly selected participants from Basel, Switzerland, were enrolled in a questionnaire survey: 82% participated in a follow-up 1 year later. Standardized questions on daytime sleepiness (Epworth sleepiness scale; ranging from 0 [no daytime sleepiness] to 21 [excessive daytime sleepiness]) and subjective sleep disturbances (Swiss health survey; ranging from 0 [no sleep disturbances] to 12 [sleep disturbances]) were assessed. One hundred twenty participants were asked to wear an actigraphic device for 2 weeks to objectively measure sleep efficiency and sleep duration (nested sleep study). Exposure to RF-EMF was either predicted with a validated exposure prediction model (cohort study) or measured in the sleeping room (nested sleep study). For the cohort analysis, multivariate linear regression models for exposure at baseline and change in sleep disturbances over 1 year were calculated. In the nested sleep study, mixed linear multilevel models for 1484 nights were performed. Statistical models were adjusted for relevant confounders. Results: In the cohort analysis, neither excessive daytime sleepiness nor sleep disturbances were related to RF-EMF exposure. The corresponding regression coefficients for the top exposure decile as compared with the low exposure group (<median) were −0.24 (95% CI: −0.81 to 0.33) for daytime sleepiness and −0.31 (95% CI: −0.78 to 0.17) for sleep disturbances. In the nested sleep study, sleep efficiency (coefficient: −1.20; 95% CI: −3.34 to 0.95) and sleep duration (coefficient: 0.11; 95% CI: −0.31 to 0.53) in the highest exposed group (top decile) were not associated with exposure. Conclusion: Our analyses do not suggest an effect of RF-EMF exposure on the development of sleep disturbances after 1 year of exposure. These findings are confirmed with objective actigraphic measurements.