NI FEATURE: FACING ADVERSITY…TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY! - ORIGINAL ARTICLE Year : 2019 | Volume : 67 | Issue : 1 | Page : 235-241

Variations in electroencephalography with mobile phone usage in medical students



Kanak Parmar1, Ruchika Tandon1, Neeraj Kumar2, Ravindra Kumar Garg2

1 Department of Medicine, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

2 Department of Neurology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India





Date of Web Publication 7-Mar-2019

Correspondence Address:

Dr. Ruchika Tandon

Department of Medicine, King George's Medical University, Lucknow - 226 003, Uttar Pradesh

India

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None Check

DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.253610



» Abstract



Background: 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.

Aims: EEG changes and adverse effects experienced following cell-phone use were studied.

Settings and Design: 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.

Materials and Methods: 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.

Statistical Analysis Used: Average EEG frequencies and amplitudes were calculated for different brain regions. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used for comparison between variables.

Results: 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.

Conclusions: 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.



Keywords: Cellular phone, mobile phone, electroencephalography, electromagnetic fields, radiofrequency fields

Key Message: Usage of mobile phones leads to electroencephalographic (EEG) changes that may have effects on the health of subjects using them. 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 of the brain. Slow waves were detected in specified brain areas while using phones. Thus, caution should be exercised during their prolonged usage.

How to cite this article:

Parmar K, Tandon R, Kumar N, Garg RK. Variations in electroencephalography with mobile phone usage in medical students. Neurol India 2019;67:235-41

How to cite this URL:

Parmar K, Tandon R, Kumar N, Garg RK. Variations in electroencephalography with mobile phone usage in medical students. Neurol India [serial online] 2019 [cited 2020 Sep 27];67:235-41. Available from: http://www.neurologyindia.com/text.asp?2019/67/1/235/253610

» Materials and Methods

» Results

Table 1: Adverse effects reported by the students after using the mobile phones



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Table 2: Average electroencephalography frequencies of different regions of the brain in relation to the application of mobile phones



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Table 3: Average electroencephalography amplitudes of different regions of the brain in relation to the application of mobile phones



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Figure 1: Mean electroencephalography frequencies in different situations of application of mobile phone and comparison of the frequencies of right and left sides of the brain



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Figure 2: Mean electroencephalography amplitudes in different situations of application of mobile phone and comparison of the frequencies of right and left sides of the brain



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Table 4: Average electroencephalography frequencies of different regions of the brain in relation to the application of mobile phones for different durations



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Table 5: Average electroencephalography amplitudes of different regions of the brain in relation to the application of mobile phones for different durations



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» Discussion

» Conclusions

» References

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