The Mobile Phone Electromagnetic Radiation Effects on Heart Rate Variability Function

Abstract

Background: The proliferation of mobile phone usage has given rise to concerns about the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), particularly in relation to heart rate variability (HRV), a key indicator of cardiac health. Previous studies have yielded inconsistent results using lower-order statistical measures, leaving a gap in understanding the nonlinear interactions between EMF exposure and HRV. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of mobile phone EMF on HRV by employing bicoherence analysis of ECG data. It sought to determine whether the position of EMF exposure relative to the heart and the duration of exposure affected HRV parameters. Methods: Twenty subjects were recruited for the study, with ECG and EEG data collected under EMF and non-EMF conditions. ECG data were captured using a 12-lead system, with electrodes placed according to standard guidelines. EEG electrodes were positioned following the 10-20 system. Bicoherence and coherence analyses were conducted to assess nonlinear interactions in HRV activity and the relationship between heart and brain signals. The study also considered the duration of EMF exposure, comparing the effects of 10-minute and 40-minute sessions. Results: The bicoherence values for ECG data during EMF exposure at the left ear showed negligible differences, with values ranging between 0.0 to 0.04. However, chest positions V1 and V2 revealed statistically significant larger bicoherence values during non-EMF trials as opposed to EMF trials. Coherence analysis between ECG and EEG demonstrated significantly higher values across the 16-30Hz frequency band during EMF trials. No significant differences were observed for 10-minute EMF exposure, whereas 40-minute exposure sessions indicated a correlation with changes in HRV. Conclusion: The study's findings suggest that mobile phone EMF can affect HRV parameters, with the effects being more pronounced during longer exposure durations and when the source of EMF is closer to the heart. These results support the need for guidelines on safe mobile phone usage and further research into the effects of EMF on cardiac function.