Phantom Vibration Research Articles

Investigation of the Role of Anxiety and Depression on the Formation of Phantom Vibration and Ringing Syndrome Caused by Working Stress during Medical Internship.

Phantom vibration syndrome (PVS) and phantom ringing syndrome (PRS) are prevalent hallucinations during medical internship. Depression and anxiety are probably understudied risk factors of PVS and PRS. The aim was to evaluate the role of anxiety and depression on the relationship between working stress during medical internship and PVS and PRS. A prospective longitudinal study, consisted of 74 medical interns, was carried out. The severity of phantom vibrations and ringing, as well as anxiety and depression as measured before, at the third, sixth, and 12th month during internship, and two weeks after internship. We conducted a causal mediation analysis to quantify the role of depression and in the mechanism of working stress during medical internship inducing PVS and PRS. The results showed that depression explained 21.9% and 8.4% for stress-induced PRS and PVS, respectively. In addition, anxiety explained 15.0% and 7.8% for stress-induced PRS and PVS, respectively. Our findings showed both depression and anxiety can explain a portion of stress-induced PVS and PRS during medical internship and might be more important in clinical practice and benefit to prevention of work-related burnout.

The phantom syndrome: a descriptive study on prevalence and association with smartphone addiction and perceived stress among medical students in central Kerala

Background: Technology in Communication has developed drastically in recent years and the introduction of smartphone is a crucial milestone in history. The constant involvement of people with their smartphone has led to the surfacing of a new kind of psychological disorder called as the phantom syndrome, comprising of phantom vibration syndrome (PVS) and phantom ringing syndrome (PRS), characterized by a recurrent false sensation of vibration and ringing from their smartphones.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among Four hundred eighty seven medical students in Thiruvalla Taluk of Pathanamthitta District, Kerala to estimate prevalence of such sensations among medical students and their association with perceived stress levels and smartphone addiction. Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire for details about the phantom vibration/phantom ringing sensations over the last 1-month, perceived stress scale (PSS), smartphone addiction scale short version (SAS SV). Chi-square test and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were used to evaluate statistical significance of association.Results: 59.1% have a sensation of phantom vibration and 61% experienced phantom ringing syndrome. 73.5% students perceived stress and 67.6% had smartphone addiction. Phantom vibration and phantom ringing were significantly associated to perceived stress and smartphone addiction.Conclusions: This study throws light on the stress levels and excessive smartphone use among medical students, and the association of smartphone phantom sensations with smartphone addiction and stress level.

Social Media and its Effects on Mental Health

There is no doubt that varioussocial media platforms have transformed the new generation. The social media has resulted in the transformation of not only how this generation communicates, but has also transformed business, education and above all, the entertainment. Not only that the social media has made a lot of positive impacts on the human life, it has a lot of negative impacts on all age group as well, especially the youth. Addiction of social media is in trend and is a major contributing factor to rapid increase in several mental health issues. Some of the examples of the issues arising from the excessive use of social media that are on rise include: disturbed circadian rhythm, sleep disorders, reproductive health, phantom vibration, and ringing syndrome. Therefore, thisstudy surveyed the extent to which the mental health is being hampered by excessive use ofsocial media. This study was conducted in two stages surveying 263 participants from India, Russia, Nepal, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Georgia. A questionnaire was used as a research instrument, which was sent to the random respondents to study their indulgence in social media. Findings from these responses showed that the mental health issues are associated to the social media usage. Therefore, stakeholders must take remedial action to prevent rampancy of social media usage. From the study conducted, the effects of the social media are not only taking toll on the social life, life style, and physical heath of the users but, also over their mental health. There are urgent needs to take immediate remedial measures to counter this growing menace in the society.

The prevalence and related factors of phantom vibration among medical students: A first look in Vietnam

Phantom vibration (PV) is an illusionary perception in which people perceive their mobile phone vibrates while it actually does not. Recently, PV has attracted attention in psychology and medical field. There are several studies investigating the prevalence and risk factors associated with this phenomenon. However, the findings are inconsistent. The prevalence of PV fluctuates from 21% to 89% among different groups and its mechanism remains unclear. Further understanding is necessary to identify the settings in which PV may harm the population and warrant further exploration. This study aims to explore the prevalence of PV among medical students in Ho Chi Minh City and settings that PV can risk people’s health. Relationships between PV and phone usage habits as well as psychiatric disturbance also are investigated. By using online questionnaire on 377 undergraduate medical students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the cross-sectional study explored factors associated with PV, including demographic, behavioral phone usage, and mental/emotional factors using the Self Reporting Questionaire - 20 (SRQ-20). The descriptive and association analyses were employed using R software. The study found a significant association between mental/emotional factors (i.e. mental disturbance and phone attachment) and PV (OR=2.15, 95% CI=1.21-3.81, p value=0.009; OR=1.75, 95% CI=1.02-3.01, p value=0.043 respectively), which suggests an important role of mental/emotional factors in explaining the potential mechanism of PV. A high proportion of participants also experienced PV while driving (55.5%) within the last month. This implies the impact of PV possibly becomes significant, causing an increase in the risk of traffic accident due to distracted driving.

Correlation of anxiety, depression, and socioeconomic status with phantom vibration syndrome in healthy individuals

Background: Worldwide, an increasing number of people carry cell phones and utilize the vibration mode to ensure silence in quiet areas. Extensive use of this mode may be associated with the perception that the phone is vibrating when it is not, i.e., the phantom vibration syndrome. Aims and Objectives: The present study is based on the hypothesis that moderate to extreme levels of anxiety or depression and low socioeconomic status (SES) could predispose such false vibrations. The study also aims to classify the participants into respective classes based on anxiety level, depression level, and SES mentioning the prevalence of phantom vibration in each class and thereby mentioning its relationship, if any. Materials and Methods: A total of 258 participants were selected from GMERS Medical College, Patan, Government Nursing College, Patan, and Sheth M N Arts and Commerce College, Patan. Participants were asked to respond to self-reported questionnaires. Assessment was done using Hamilton anxiety scale, Hamilton depression scale, and modified Kuppuswamy’s SES scale. Chi-square test was applied for statistical analysis to found the association of anxiety, depression, and SES with phantom vibration syndrome. Results: Of total participants, 34% of participants had experienced phantom vibrations from the mobile phone. The perceptions were most common among the participants who were associated with frequency of mobile use. Significant association was also found between anxiety/depression and phantom vibration which was in accordance with hypothesis of this study. The study was also based on the hypothesis that low SES could predispose to false vibrations, but we did not find any significant association between phantom vibration syndrome and SES of an individual. Conclusion: The present study can help to elaborate the ill effects of mobile overuse that might lead to damage in terms of intellectual and cognitive skills. It can also help to determine the factors mediating human behavioral patterns that might lead to such false sensations. A more comprehensive longitudinal study design is needed to validate the phenomena identified in this study and to explore the underlying mechanisms further.

Prevalence and Pattern of Phantom Ringing and Phantom Vibration among Medical Interns and their Relationship with Smartphone Use and Perceived Stress.

Background:Phantom sensations like phantom vibration (PV) and phantom ringing (PR)— the sensations of vibration and ringing of the phone when they are not, respectively—are among the latest in the category of “techno-pathology” to receive global attention. This study was conducted with the aim to estimate the prevalence of such sensations among medical interns and their association with perceived stress levels and smartphone usage pattern.Materials and Methods:Ninety-three medical interns using smartphone were recruited for the study. Data were collected anonymously using semi-structured questionnaire, perceived stress scale (PSS), and smartphone addiction scale-short version (SAS-SV). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficient.Results:Fifty-nine percent students had a high level of stress, whereas 40% had problematic smartphone use. Sixty percent students experienced PV, whereas 42% experienced PR and both were significantly associated with higher frequency of phone use and the use of vibration mode. Mean SAS-SV score was significantly lower in students who did not perceive PR/PV, whereas mean PSS score was significantly lower in students who did not perceive PV.Conclusion:This study confirms findings from other national and international researches about the experience of cell phone phantom sensations and their relationship with the pattern of phone use and stress level. It also brings to light high levels of stress and problematic smartphone use among medical students during the internship.

Association of Phantom Vibration and Ringing Syndrome and Job-Related Stress among Nurses in Al-Nasiriyah City

Objectives: The study aims to: (1) assess the prevalence of phantom vibration and ringing syndrome amongnurses, (2) determine the level of job-related stress among those nurses who are working at teaching hospitals inAl- Nasiriyah city, and (3) identify the association between job-related stress and experience of phantomvibration and ringing syndrome.Methodology: : A descriptive design, cross-sectional study was used for the present study was carried outfrom 4th December, 2017 to the 4th April, 2018 in order to determine the association of PhantomVibration and Ringing Syndrome with Job - Related Stress among nurses at Teaching Hospitals in AlNasiriyahCity , on a purposive (non-probability) sample was used in this study that composed of (600) nurseswho are working in the morning and night shifts . Data were collected by using the technique of self –administrative report was consisted of four parts: ' socio-demographic characteristics for the nurses, factorsthat are related to mobile use among the nurses , phantom vibration and ringing syndrome scale and job –related stress scale . The validity of the questionnaire was obtained through a panel of experts and theinternal consistency reliability was achieved through the application of Alpha Correlation Coefficient (r=0.76)which was statistically acceptable.Results: The finding of the study revealed that phantom vibration and ringing syndrome are experiencedmoderately among nurses evidenced by significant level among all items of the scale, there were nosignificant association between phantom vibration \ ringing syndrome and job- related stress among nurses.Recommendations: The study recommended spreading awareness among nurses regarding the risks of mobileuse through instructional sessions and continuing education lectures and the necessary conducting of furthersimilar studies for exploring the factors that influence the job-related stress in order to apply the management forsuch factors

Hubungan Phantom Vibration Syndrome Terhadap Sleep Disorder dan Kondisi Stress

Phantom vibration syndrome is a condition where a person would feel the sensation of vibration of a cell phone as if there were incoming notification but the fact is not. This research investigated the relationship between phantom vibration syndromes, sleep disorder and stress condition. Questionnaires were distributed to 120 participants with age range 18 to 23 years old. Data of participants showed that all of participants using a smart mobile phone and 24% of them have more than one cell phone. Time usage of cell phone is at least 1 hour. 23% of participants using a cell phone for social media activity, followed by 21% related to entertainment (music, video and games). The results showed a positive relationship between phantom vibration syndrome, sleep disorder and stress condition. Insomnia contributed a greater influence on stress condition. However, the phantom vibration syndrome is more directly affecting the sleep apnea compared to insomnia and stress condition. Therefore, the phantom vibration syndrome more affects stress condition indirectly, through sleep disorder (sleep apnea and insomnia). Consequently, phantom vibration syndrome has a strong relationship with stress condition at the time of the phantom vibration syndrome can cause sleep disorder.

The prevalence of phantom vibration/ringing syndromes and their related factors in Iranian' students of medical sciences.

Mobile phone abuse can cause pathologic stress that may lead to addictive behavior such as Phantom Vibration Syndrome (PVS) and Phantom Ringing Syndrome (PRS). The current study aimed to determine the PVS and PRS due to mobile phone use in students of Qom University of medical Sciences in Iran. Cross-sectional study. The participants were 380 students selected by proportional stratified random sampling method in each stratum. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive and analytic statistical methods including t-test, chi square and analysis of variance. The prevalence of PVS and PRS due to mobile phones in students of medical sciences was estimated to be 54.3% and 49.3%, respectively. PVS was higher in female students than in males while the PRS was higher in male students. There was a significant relationship between PVS and using social networks such as Viber, WhatsApp, and Line. In addition, a significant association was observed between PVS and friend-finding, chatting and entertainment. Studies should be done in the future to assess the long-term complication of overusing mobile phones. In the current study, the prevalence of PVS and PRS in half of students is considerable.

Phantom Vibration Syndrome: An Emerging Phenomenon

Mobile phones are innovation of new era's technology. Around 5 billion people are using mobile phone worldwide. Mobile phone is an essential part of urban life. People spent more time of cell phones and it is affecting their physical and mental health. People are using vibration alert mode in silence zone and its frequent use lead towards phantom vibration syndrome (PVS). In 2003, Mr. Robert D. Jones described the term Phantom vibration syndrome. Phantom vibration syndrome is an emerging disorder due to excessive use of mobile phones. People perceive that their cell phone is vibrating but in reality it not. PVS is concern with psychological or neurological changes. Prevalence of Phantom vibration syndrome is more than 70% among the medical students. This tactile hallucination causes by repeated use of cell phone, vibration alert mode and using same location for carrying mobile phone. PVS may lead toward anxiety, depression and affective disorders. Phantom vibration syndrome can manage by changing habits towards utilization and carrying of cell phone. Burnout syndrome may occur in people if phantom vibration syndrome not treated properly. More studies are needed to explore the etiology of PVS and its possible management. Mobile phone users are increasing drastically so in the future more cases of PVS may be reported.

Which wavelength is the best for arterial pulse waveform extraction using laser speckle imaging?

A multi-wavelengths analysis for pulse waveform extraction using laser speckle is conducted. The proposed system consists of three coherent light sources (532 nm, 635 nm, 850 nm). A bench-test composed of a moving skin-like phantom (silicone membrane) is used to compare the results obtained from different wavelengths. The system is able to identify a skin-like phantom vibration frequency, within physiological values, with a minimum error of 0.5 mHz for the 635 nm and 850 nm wavelengths and a minimum error of 1.3 mHz for the 532 nm light wavelength using a FFT-based algorithm. The phantom velocity profile is estimated with an error ranging from 27% to 9% using a bidimensional correlation coefficient-based algorithm. An in vivo trial is also conducted, using the 532 nm and 635 nm laser sources. The 850 nm light source has not been able to extract the pulse waveform. The heart rate is identified with a minimum error of 0.48 beats per minute for the 532 nm light source and a minimal error of 1.15 beats per minute for the 635 nm light source. Our work reveals that a laser speckle-based system with a 532 nm wavelength is able to give arterial pulse waveform with better results than those given with a 635 nm laser.

An experiential account of phantom vibration syndrome

A small handful of recent studies have addressed a phenomenon known as “phantom vibration syndrome”. This refers to when phone users perceive their device to vibrate, indicating that a call or text is incoming, when in fact the phone did not vibrate at all. Though these studies show that most users do not find phantom vibration hallucinations to be very bothersome, they also find that a large majority of users experience this phenomenon. This paper explores what the striking prevalence of phantom vibration syndrome means for our contemporary relationships with technology. I begin with a review of the theories purporting to explain these data, which largely rely on particular understandings of the brain. Next I develop an alternative theory of phantom vibration syndrome based on insights from the philosophical tradition of phenomenology. This account considers the ways users develop bodily and perceptual habits regarding how the phone is understood and used. By critically contrasting these different theories, we can refine our questions about what the high prevalence of phantom vibration syndrome implies about our contemporary technological situation.

Possible association between phantom vibration syndrome and occupational burnout.

BackgroundPhantom vibration syndrome (PVS) and phantom ringing syndrome (PRS) occur in many cell phone users. Previous studies have indicated an association between PVS/PRS and job stress. The aim of this study was to determine if PVS/PRS were also associated with occupational burnout.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of 384 employees of a high-tech company in northern Taiwan. They all completed a phantom vibration and ringing questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Chinese version of the Occupational Burnout Inventory.ResultsSignificantly more women and people with at least a college education were in the population with PRS and PVS, respectively. Anxiety and depression had no associations with PVS/PRS. Higher scores for personal fatigue, job fatigue, and service target fatigue had an independent impact on the presence of PVS, but only a higher score for service target fatigue had an independent impact on the presence of PRS.ConclusionThe independent association between work-related burnout and PVS/PRS suggests that PVS/PRS may be a harbinger of mental stress or a component of the clinical burnout syndrome, and may even be a more convenient and accurate predictor of occupational burnout.

Phantom vibration and phantom ringing among mobile phone users: A systematic review of literature.

The last decade has witnessed considerable interest in pathological conditions stemming from misuse or overuse of technology, a condition commonly referred to as technopathology. Of the several complaints reported, phantom vibration or phantom ringing is one that has not yet been widely explored. The objective of conducting a systematic review is to provide an understanding of the phenomena and summarize the research conducted so far. Major databases were searched and articles that matched the inclusion criteria were selected for final analysis. According to findings obtained, phantom vibration or phantom ringing was commonly experienced by mobile phone users; however, few found it bothersome and hence took no steps to eliminate it. As of now, literature in the area is limited and many aspects of the phenomena such as its prevalence across populations, causal factors, consequences, and treatment plans are yet to be studied. Also, a clinical criterion for identification of the condition needs to be formulated. With increase in the number of individuals reporting mobile phone-related problem behavior, phantom vibration, or phantom ringing may be expected to become a cause of concern for mental health professionals within some years. Finally, the need for further research is emphasized while presenting directions for future investigations.

Development and validation of the Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI).

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to develop a self-administered scale based on the special features of smartphone. The reliability and validity of the Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI) was demonstrated.MethodsA total of 283 participants were recruited from Dec. 2012 to Jul. 2013 to complete a set of questionnaires, including a 26-item SPAI modified from the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale and phantom vibration and ringing syndrome questionnaire. There were 260 males and 23 females, with ages 22.9±2.0 years. Exploratory factor analysis, internal-consistency test, test-retest, and correlation analysis were conducted to verify the reliability and validity of the SPAI. Correlations between each subscale and phantom vibration and ringing were also explored.ResultsExploratory factor analysis yielded four factors: compulsive behavior, functional impairment, withdrawal and tolerance. Test–retest reliabilities (intraclass correlations = 0.74–0.91) and internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.94) were all satisfactory. The four subscales had moderate to high correlations (0.56–0.78), but had no or very low correlation to phantom vibration/ringing syndrome.ConclusionThis study provides evidence that the SPAI is a valid and reliable, self-administered screening tool to investigate smartphone addiction. Phantom vibration and ringing might be independent entities of smartphone addiction.

A dimensional approach to the phantom vibration and ringing syndrome during medical internship

Phantom vibrations and ringing of mobile phones are prevalent hallucinations in the general population. They might be considered as a “normal” brain mechanism. The aim of this study was to determine if a dimensional approach to identify individuals suffering from these hallucinations was more important than a categorical approach. A prospective longitudinal study of 74 medical interns (male: 46, mean age: 24.8 ± 1.2) was carried out using repeated investigations of the severity of phantom vibrations and ringing, as well as accompanying symptoms of anxiety and depression as measured by Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) before, at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th month during internship, and 2 weeks after internship. We utilized the cognitive and somatic subscales of the BDI, as well as the subjective, somatic and panic subscales of the BAI. The correlation between phantom vibration and ringing was lowest before the internship but became moderate during the internship and high 2 weeks after it. Compared to interns with subclinical phantom ringing and vibrations, interns with severe phantom vibrations and ringing had higher subjective and somatic anxiety and somatic depressive scores at any time point throughout the internship. Only interns with severe phantom ringing had more cognitive/affective depression. A dimensional approach to the phantom vibration and ringing syndrome is a powerful way to identify their correlation, as well as their association with anxiety and depression.

Prevalent hallucinations during medical internships: phantom vibration and ringing syndromes.

BackgroundPhantom vibration syndrome is a type of hallucination reported among mobile phone users in the general population. Another similar perception, phantom ringing syndrome, has not been previously described in the medical literature.MethodsA prospective longitudinal study of 74 medical interns (46 males, 28 females; mean age, 24.8±1.2 years) was conducted using repeated investigations of the prevalence and associated factors of phantom vibration and ringing. The accompanying symptoms of anxiety and depression were evaluated with the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories before the internship began, and again at the third, sixth, and twelfth internship months, and two weeks after the internship ended.ResultsThe baseline prevalence of phantom vibration was 78.1%, which increased to 95.9% and 93.2% in the third and sixth internship months. The prevalence returned to 80.8% at the twelfth month and decreased to 50.0% 2 weeks after the internship ended. The baseline prevalence of phantom ringing was 27.4%, which increased to 84.9%, 87.7%, and 86.3% in the third, sixth, and twelfth internship months, respectively. This returned to 54.2% two weeks after the internship ended. The anxiety and depression scores also increased during the internship, and returned to baseline two weeks after the internship. There was no significant correlation between phantom vibration/ringing and symptoms of anxiety or depression. The incidence of both phantom vibration and ringing syndromes significantly increased during the internship, and subsequent recovery.ConclusionThis study suggests that phantom vibration and ringing might be entities that are independent of anxiety or depression during evaluation of stress-associated experiences during medical internships.

Phantom vibrations among undergraduates: Prevalence and associated psychological characteristics

‘Phantom vibration syndrome,’ or perceived vibrations from a device that is not really vibrating, is a recent psychological phenomenon that has attracted the attention of the media and medical community. Most (89%) of the 290 undergraduates in our sample had experienced phantom vibrations, and they experienced them about once every two weeks, on average. However, few found them bothersome. Those higher in conscientiousness experienced phantom vibrations less frequently, and those who had strong reactions to text messages (higher in the emotional reaction subscale of text message dependence) were more bothered by phantom vibrations. These findings suggest that targeting individuals’ emotional reactions to text messages might be helpful in combating the negative consequences of both text message dependency and phantom vibrations. However, because few young adults were bothered by these phantom vibrations or made attempts to stop them, interventions aimed at this population may be unnecessary.

Phantom vibration syndrome among medical staff: a cross sectional survey

Objective To describe the prevalence of and risk factors for experiencing “phantom vibrations,” the sensory hallucination sometimes experienced by people carrying pagers or cell phones when the device is not...