Becoming electro‐hypersensitive: A replication study

Abstract

Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance attributed to Electromagnetic Fields (IEI-EMF) is an emerging environmental illness that is characterized by the attribution of various symptoms to electromagnetic fields (EMF). To date, research has not succeeded in objectifying the illness' semiology or etiology. IEI-EMF remains impossible to define other than in terms of the attributions of the persons affected. Yet, the genesis of these attributions is still not well understood. This study's objective is to replicate previous results relating to them, while correcting their limitations. Sixteen electro-hypersensitive (EHS) subjects lent themselves to both a sociological interview and a medical interview, and completed a set of standardized questionnaires. Three distinct types of biographical trajectories leading to persons becoming convinced of their hypersensitivity were identified, which were called the Reticent Attribution model, the Prior Attribution model, and the By Proxy Attribution model. These three models of EHS attribution process do not appear to lead to clinically distinct forms of IEI-EMF. What distinguishes them is the way in which the initial suspicion of the electromagnetic environment emerges. They demonstrate a diversification of the pathways to IEI-EMF. Nonetheless, in each model, the learning process that enables the EHS attribution to be materialized and operationalized is identical. The ability to establish causation between the electromagnetic environment and their condition is therefore the result of EHS subjects' trajectories, rather than their starting point. This observation is not congruent with models attributing IEI-EMF to nocebo reactions, which raises the question of these models' ecological validity.

Methodological limitations in experimental studies on symptom development in individuals with idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) – a systematic review

“…Dieudonné [90] recently noted that little progress has been made with an objective case definition for IEI-EMF. The key underlying problem is that its definition is seemingly circular: a precise definition of what is considered IEI-EMF is required to conduct rigorous experimental studies, but rigorous experimental studies are required to verify whether such a precise definition actually exists.…”

A case report of idiopathic environmental intolerance: A controversial and current issue

“…IEI/MCS is a widespread disease that has become a global public health concern for example due to the growing use of cell phones, and to date is a disorder of unknown etiology with no effective treatment …”

“…IEI/MCS is a widespread disease that has become a global public health concern 42 for example due to the growing use of cell phones, [43][44][45] and to date is a disorder of unknown etiology with no effective treatment. 5,46 Although still under-diagnosed, which is thought to be caused by a gene imbalance involving multiple loci with antioxidant activity and consequent alteration of the neuro-immune network, 47 and as suggested by Hetherington 6 could be useful a genome-wide screening of IEI patients to elucidate genotypic features of the condition.…”

Co‐Designed Exposure Protocol in the Study of Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance Attributed to Electromagnetic Fields

“…Nonetheless, such nocebo effects should not be regarded as the only explanation for IEI‐EMF symptoms. They are not exclusive of other causes, as established by qualitative studies of the trajectories of people with IEI‐EMF, consistently demonstrating that they start feeling sick before becoming suspicious of EMF [de Graaff and Bröer, 2012; Dieudonné, 2016, 2019]. The nocebo hypothesis, as such, does not disprove the existence of a physical effect of EMF exposure.…”

“…Some of these criticisms are shared by people with IEI‐EMF, as observed in a qualitative survey in Belgium [Prignot, 2020]. Indeed, the results of provocation studies appear incomprehensible to them as they carried out seemingly objective experiments and measurements before concluding that they are hypersensitive [Dieudonné, 2016, 2019]. The assertion that the electromagnetic etiology is not established is perceived by people with IEI‐EMF as a challenge to what they see as the very reality of their disorders, i.e.…”