Variations in electroencephalography with mobile phone usage in medical students.

Abstract

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by cellular telephones may cause neurological ill effects like cognitive dysfunction, emotional instability, and even brain tumors. Slowing of brain activity on electroencephalography (EEG) has been shown. However, these findings need further validation. EEG changes and adverse effects experienced following cell-phone use were studied. The study was conducted in the Department of Neurology of a tertiary care university hospital in India on North Indian students of the University, from August 2017 to October 2017. Twenty-one students underwent video-EEG recording before and after application of Samsung GT-56312 dual SIM smart phone in switched off, switched on, and switched on mode with conversation. Average EEG frequencies and amplitudes were calculated for different brain regions. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used for comparison between variables. The mean age of 7 (33.3%) male and 14 (66.7%) female subjects was 20.76 ± 1.48 years. The average EEG frequencies following mobile phone application with conversation were higher and the amplitudes lower than the baseline values. Frequencies were greater on the right side. Slow waves were detected in the frontal region in 38.1%, in the parietal region in 33.3%, in the occipital and temporal region in 19.1%; and, generalized slow waves were seen in 9.5% students. During the experiment, 23.8% experienced headache, 19% experienced irritation, and 9.5% felt drowsy. Headache and loss of concentration (33.3%), sleep disturbances (28.6%), and fatigue (19%) were frequent in daily life. Experimental application of mobile phones may lead to some EEG changes and certain ill effects on the well-being. Hence, prolonged use of these gadgets warrants caution.