A pilot investigation of the effect of extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields on humans' heart rate variability

Baldi, Emilio; Baldi, C.; Lithgow, Brian

doi:10.1002/bem.20268

Cited by 24 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…This periodic component of HR is known as heart rate variability (HRV). HRV can be further demarcated into diVerent frequency components when the spectral density of the R-R intervals (intervals between successive upward deXections of the ECG arising from ventricular activation) is analyzed through Fourier transformation (Baldi et al 2007). It has been argued that a low frequency component (0.04-0.15 Hz) represents autonomic nervous system (ANS) control through aVerent sympathetic nerve activation, while parasympathetic or vagal aVerents are responsible for a high frequency (0.15-0.4 Hz) component (Baldi et al 2007).…”

Section: Epidemiological Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A literature review: the cardiovascular effects of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields

McNamee

Legros

Krewski

et al. 2009

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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The effects of exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on human cardiovascular parameters remain undetermined. Epidemiological studies have utilized dosimetry estimations of employee workplace exposure using altered heart rate variability (HRV) as predictive of certain cardiovascular pathologies. Laboratory studies have focused on macrocirculatory indicators including heart rate, HRV and blood pressure. Few studies have been conducted on the response of the microcirculatory system to EMF exposure. Attempts to replicate both epidemiological and laboratory studies have been mostly unsuccessful as study design, small sample populations and confounding variables have hampered progress to date. Identification of these problems, in the current context of international exposure guideline re-evaluation, is essential for future EMF studies. These studies should address the possible deleterious health effects of EMFs as well as the detection and characterization of subtle physiological changes they may induce. Recommendations for future work include investigating the macro- and microcirculatory relationship and the use of laboratory geomagnetic shielding.

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Section: Epidemiological Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A literature review: the cardiovascular effects of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields

McNamee

Legros

Krewski

et al. 2009

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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show abstract

“…Evidence for electrophysiological effects comes from heart rate variability (HRV) studies. Baldi et al (2007) in a pilot study showed that HRV could be affected by the transition from exposed to non-exposed condition generated by a 3 Hz square wave modulation of a 50 Hz signal. Here the fi eld level was small (~5 µT) at the level of the heart, but coming from a source of 1.6 mT at fl oor level.…”

Section: Power Frequencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive Effects of Electromagnetic Fields in Humans

Preece

2009

Advances in Electromagnetic Fields in Living Systems

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Electromagnetic fi elds interact with human tissue in a number of ways, depending on power level and frequency, and have been long suspected by some to give rise to harmful effects. In particular, the use of a mobile phone against the head has aroused suspicions of various cognitive effects. Accordingly, there have been a large number of studies of behavioural effects from ELF, RF and microwave exposure, mostly as provocation experiments. This chapter discusses the ways and means of doing this, the confusion of physiological effects variously observed and the problem of inconsistency of results. In animal studies, exposure levels have been suffi cient to elicit responses, which largely appear to be related to heating effects, whereas similar studies are not ethically easy in humans. Accordingly, many of the studies have sought to explore non-thermal responses, mediated either through induced currents in neurological tissue or biochemical responses directly in cells. Effects reported for ELF tend to be dissimilar to those for RF and this may be more to do with the physical interaction with tissue than anything more fundamental. It is the possible existence of non-thermal effects that has largely been considered here and also the problem of studies in children who have been urged to restrain mobile phone use. Some important consequences have been observed such as the effect of phone use on driving, but largely the conclusion of detailed provocation studies is that short term or acute exposure to ELF or RF within the established guidelines may not be a hazard to humans, which suggests that the increasing use of RF technology may not itself be harmful.

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“…Tabor's time-domain HRV parameters included linear and non-linear analysis. Baldi et al [5] study on the influence of ELF PEMF exposure on the HRV using linear anlaysis, revealed a HR variation in all subjects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In the past few decades, the responses of human and animal EEG activity to non-ionising radiation of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) have been studied [2]- [5]. Since that time, various studies have reported that humans and animals are particularly sensitive to ELF or ELF modulated sensory stimulation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eigenvector Methods for Analysis of Human PPG, ECG and EEG Signals

Übeylı

Cvetković

Cosic

2007

2007 29th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society

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Abstract-This paper presents eigenvector methods for analysis of the photoplethysmogram (PPG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG) signals recorded in order to examine the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) at extremely low frequency (ELF) upon the human electrophysiological signal behavior. The features representing the PPG, ECG, EEG signals were obtained by using the eigenvector methods. In addition to this, the problem of selecting relevant features among the features available for the purpose of discrimination of the signals was dealt with. Some conclusions were drawn concerning the efficiency of the eigenvector methods as a feature extraction method used for representing the signals under study.

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A pilot investigation of the effect of extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields on humans' heart rate variability

Cited by 24 publications

References 8 publications

A literature review: the cardiovascular effects of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields

A literature review: the cardiovascular effects of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields

Cognitive Effects of Electromagnetic Fields in Humans

Eigenvector Methods for Analysis of Human PPG, ECG and EEG Signals

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