Background
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The descriptive terms used to define IEI-EMF.
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The inclusion criteria and procedure for the identification of individuals with IEI-EMF.
Methods
Search strategy for the identification of studies
Sensitivity: | Electrosensitivity, Electromagnetic hypersensitivity, Electrical sensitivity, Electromagnetic sensitivity, Electric hypersensitivity, IEI-EMF, Environmental intolerance, environmental illness. |
Exposure:
| EMF, ELF, Electromagnetic field(s), Electromagnetic exposure, mobile telephones, mobile phone(s), Base stations, Powerlines, Celltowers, Antenna(e), UMTS, GSM, DECT, VDU, cell phones. |
Health Outcome:
| Symptom(s), well-being, attributed symptoms, headache, fatigue. |
Time period
| From inception – 2011. |
Inclusion criteria
Data extraction
Reference | Study design | Recruitment | Type of sensitivity | IEI-EMF sample characteristics | Identifying criteria for IEI-EMF | Main exclusion criteria | Identification/Case definition methods for IEI-EMF |
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Rea et al., 1991 (USA) [28]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation. | General | N = 100. | Self-reported sensitivity to EMF. | N.R/E. | Subjective report, medical examination. |
Hamnerius et al., 1993(Sweden) [29]. | Provocation | IEI-EMF subjects referred to a health care service/institution. | VDU-specific | N = 30. | Report of “distinctive” symptoms, occurrence of the symptoms within an hour from being exposed to VDU and disappearance or substantial reduction within a few hours after exposure termination. | Somatic or psychiatric disorder that could account for the reported symptomatology. | Subjective report, medical, psychiatric & psychological examination. |
Arnetz et al., 1995 (Sweden) [30]. | Intervention | IEI-EMF subjects referred to a health care service/institution. | General | N = 20, m.a = 45, f.g = 75%. | Report of symptoms attributed to EMF exposure. | Somatic or psychiatric disorder that could account for the reported symptomatology. | Subjective report, medical & psychiatric examination. |
Andersson et al., 1996 (Sweden) [31]. | Provocation | IEI-EMF subjects referred to a health care service/institution. | General | N = 17, m.a = 41.7, f.g = 70.6%. | Experience of “typical” symptoms of “electric hypersensitivity” when being in an “electrical environment”, duration of at least 6 months, limitations in daily functioning, experience of symptomatology within less than 30 minutes after exposure to electric equipment under experimental testing. | Somatic or psychiatric disorder that could account for the reported symptomatology. | Subjective report, medical & psychiatric examination. |
Bertoft et al., 1996 (Sweden) [32]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation of IEI-EMF subjects. | General | N = 5, a.r = 46-60, f.g = 80%. | Self-reported hypersensitivity to EMF. | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Toomingas, 1996 (Sweden) [33]. | Provocation (case study) | Voluntary participation of a medical patient. | General | N = 1 male, age = 35. | Fear of a negative impact of health caused by EMF exposure, report of symptoms attributed to EMF such as fatigue, headache, lack of concentration, numbness & paresthesia in the arms, greasy feeling in the palms, inability to work due to the reported symptoms. | N.R/E. | Subjective report, medical & neurological examination. |
Sandström et al., 1997 (Sweden) [34]. | Provocation | IEI-EMF subjects treated to a health care service/institution. | VDT & fluorescent light-specific | N = 10, m.a = 47, f.g = 70%. | Self-report of a combination of skin (mucous), eye & neurological symptoms, attribution of these symptoms to EMF emitted from VDT work, fluorescent light or TV. | Somatic or psychiatric diseases severe enough to require medical treatment. | Subjective report, medical examination. |
Hillert et al., 1998 (Sweden) [35]. | Intervention | IEI-EMF subjects referred to a health care service/institution. | General | N = 10, m.a = 40, f.g = 60%. | Self-reported hypersensitivity to EMF, age between 18–65 y.o, being employed for at least 1 week during the past 3 months, symptoms had to show some variation due to perceived exposure to EMF or proximity to relative equipment. | Medical or mental disorder that could account for the reported symptomatology, long period of sick leave, unemployment. | Subjective report, medical examination. |
Trimmel et al., 1998 (Austria) [36]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation. | General | N = 36, a.r = 18-36. | Individual belief of an “exceptional reaction to EMF”, a score of >50 on a continuous rating scale between 0–100. | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Flodin et al., 2000 (Sweden) [37]. | Provocation | IEI-EMF subjects who were members of a relative self-group or registered to a health care service/institution. | General | N = 15, m.a = 48.3, f.g = 73.3. | Attribution of symptoms to named EMF sources, mean reaction should occur within 60 minutes of exposure, there was no experience of symptoms at home or workplace when the subject was considered as “unexposed”, symptoms should disappear within a few days after exposure. | Slow reaction or denial for participation because of symptom severity, undergoing treatment for medical conditions. | Subjective report, medical examination (registered IEI-EMF subjects). |
Lohne-Rahm et al., 2000 (Sweden) [38]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation after description of the study in newspaper advertisements or IEI-EMF subjects referred to a health care service/institution. | General | N = 12. | Report of skin symptoms during a 30-minute exposure to EMF & symptom duration of at least 6 months. | Diagnosed skin diseases, slow, excessive or no reactions during the experiment. | Subjective report, medical examination (referred IEI-EMF subjects). |
Hillert et al., 2001 (Sweden) [39]. | Intervention | IEI-EMF subjects referred to a health care service/institution. | General | N = 16, m.a = 39.5, f.g = 81.3%. | Self-reported hypersensitivity to electricity, experience of change in symptoms within 24 hours after a perceived change in exposure to EMF, a history of VDU or fluorescent lights as the initial triggering factors. | Somatic or psychological disorder that could account for the reported symptomatology. | Subjective report, medical & psychological examination. |
Lyskov et al., 2001 (Sweden) [40]. | Provocation | IEI-EMF subjects referred to a health care service/institution. | General | N = 20, m.a = 45.8, f.g = 75%. | Self-reported hypersensitivity to EMF | N.R/E. | Subjective report, medical examination. |
Hietanen et al., 2002 (Finland) [41]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation. | General | N = 20, m.a = 49, f.g = 65%. | Self-reported hypersensitivity to EMF, experience of symptoms during a 30-minute (provocation) test period. | N.R/E. | Subjective report, medical examination. |
Hillert et al., 2002 (Sweden) [42]. | Intervention | IEI-EMF subjects referred to a health care service/institution. | General | N = 22, m.a = 42, f.g = 64%. | Report of symptoms assumed to be caused by sensitivity to EMF. | Medical or psychological condition that could account for the symptoms. | Subjective report, medical & psychiatric examination. |
Mueller et al., 2002 (Switzerland) [43]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation. | General | N = 63, m.a = 49.5, f.g = 51%. | Self-reported sensitivity to EMF or “Electrical Hypersensitivity Syndrome (EHS)”. | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Leitgeb et al., 2003(Austria) [44]. | Provocation | Randomly selected sample from general population (N = 708). | General | a.r = 17-60. | Increased levels of “electrosensibility”, defined as the individual ability to perceive electric or electromagnetic exposures without necessarily developing health symptoms. | N.R/E. | Measurement of EMF perception thresholds. |
Österberg et al., 2004 (Sweden) [45]. | Provocation | Randomly selected sample from general population (N = 13381), based on Östergren et al. (report) [46]. | General | N = 16, m.a = 41.8, f.g = 50%. | Individual experience the past 2 weeks of “very much” physiologic “annoyance” attributed to FTL, and/or VDU and/or other electrical equipment. | Report of long-term sick leave, disability pension, subjects diagnosed with severe medical condition that required medication (e.g. diabetes), age of >58 y.o | Subjective report, medical examination. |
Belyaev et al., 2005 (Sweden) [47]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation. | General | N = 7, m.a = 44.8, f.g = 71.5%. | Self-reported hypersensitivity to EMF. | Smoking, regular medication | Subjective report. |
Frick et al., 2005 (Germany) [48]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation after description of the study in a local newspaper. | General | N = 30, m.a = 41.7, f.g = 77%. | Self-reported hypersensitivity to named EMF sources, attribution of severe symptoms that limited daily functioning & age between 18–64 y.o. | Not complaining or not experiencing limitations to daily living due to the reported symptomatology. | Subjective report. |
Wenzel et al., 2005 (Germany) [49]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation. | VDU & powerline-specific | N = 3 male subjects, m.a = 37. | Concern about the effects of EMF exposure, report of various symptoms attributed to VDU and/or powerlines, abstinence from smoking. | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Regel et al., 2006 (Switzerland) [50]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation after description of the study in advertisements in a local newspaper, flyers & use of databases of two previous studies with IEI-EMF subjects willing to participate in future research projects. | Base station-specific | N = 33, m.a = 37.7, f.g = 57.5%. | Self-reported sensitivity to EMF emitted by mobile or cordless phones & antennas. | Regular consumption of narcotics or psychoactive drugs in the last 6 months, smoking, diagnosed with a chronic disease, pregnancy, medical history of head injuries, neurologic/psychiatric diseases, sleep disturbances, average alcohol consumption of >10 drinks per week, average consumption of caffeinated beverages amounting to >450 milligrams caffeine per day, shift workers, undertaking long-haul flights of >3 hours time zone difference within the last month. | Subjective report. |
Rubin et al., 2006 (UK) [51]. | Provocation | Through mailshots organised by an IEI-EMF support group, advertisements & articles in health care institutions & practices. | MP-specific | N = 71, m.a = 37.1, f.g = 56%. | Frequent experience of headache-related symptoms within 20 minutes of using a 900 MHz GSM MP. | Age of <18 or >75 y.o, pregnancy, psychotic illness, use of antidepressants, report of severe symptoms at baseline while in the testing room. | Subjective report. |
Eltiti et al., 2007 (UK) [52]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation through local advertising, IEI-EMF action groups & word of mouth. | MP & base station-specific | N = 56, m.a = 46.1, f.g = 42.9%. | Individual experience of negative health effects attributed to EMF emitted from mobile phone devices and/or base stations, based on the “Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Questionnaire” [53]. | History of brain injury, currently suffering from epilepsy or claustrophobia, undergone treatment for mental disease or psycho-active medication within 4 months before the study. | Subjective report. |
Schröttner et al., 2007 (Austria) [54]. | Provocation | Three different recruitment sources: 1. EMF self-help groups. 2. Through advertisements in local newspapers & inviting patients that contacted a health care service/institution for their EMF-attributed symptoms. 3. Subjects reporting severe sleep problems being deeply convinced that these were caused by EMF exposure. | General | Recruitment 1: N = 37, a.r = 27-81, f.g = 67.6%. Recruitment 2: N = 29, a.r = 32-63, f.g = 79%. Recruitment 3: N = 24, a.r = 37-73, f.g = 62.5%. | Self-reported hypersensitivity to electricity, attribution of symptoms to EMF, active avoidance behavior to EMF sources. | Sensitivity only to sources of flickering light such as VDU fluorescent tubes. | Medical examination (for part of the group of “Recruitment 2”). |
Bamiou et al., 2008 (UK) [55]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation after description of the study through advertisements at a health care services/institutions & relative website & short film shown on the national television. | MP-specific | N = 9, m.a = 36.7, f.g = 66.7. | Report of headache and/or disorientation, dizziness, muzziness, nausea attributed to mobile telephone use, age between 20–55 y.o, normal tympanometry & normal pure tone audiometric thresholds in both ears. | N.R/E. | Subjective report, audiometric examination. |
Hillert et al., 2008 (Sweden) [56]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation after description of the study in newspapers, or individual initiative. | MP-specific | N = 38, m.a = 28, f.g = 63.2%. | Report of headache, vertigo or other kind of pain or discomfort in the head attributed to MP use. | Attribution of symptoms to sources other than MP, medical or psychological illness, undergoing medication, sleep disorders, hypertension, pregnancy, history of severe injury. | Subjective report. |
Kwon et al., 2008 (Finland) [57]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation after description of the study in an advertisement that announced a monetary prize. | MP-specific | N = 2 male subjects, m.a = 37. | Report of suffering from severe symptomatology after use of a mobile phone, high score on a scale on EMF sensibility (defined as the individual ability to perceive EMF without necessarily developing symptoms). | Neurological disease, auditory abnormality, being on permanent medication. | Subjective report. |
Landgrebe et al., 2008a (Austria & Germany) [58]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation after description of the study in newspapers and informative events at public locations and institutions. | General | N = 88, m.a = 50.5, f.g = 58.4%. | A symptom score of at least 19 points on the “Regensburger EMF complaint list” [59], attribution of health symptoms to named EMF sources & age between 18–75 y.o | Unstable medical condition. | Subjective report. |
Leitgeb et al., 2008 (Austria & Germany) [60]. | Crossover field study | Voluntary participation after description of the study in media. | General | N = 43, m.a = 55.5, f.g = 60.5%. | Personal conviction on a causal role of EMF indicated by the employment of precautionary activities and/or measures (e.g. reducing fields, measuring exposure in the household etc.), above-normal symptom scores on standardized questionnaires such as the “Freiburger Personality Inventory” [61] and “PSQI” [62] (at least 5 points on the latter). | Neurological & psychiatric disorders, somatic conditions that could account for sleep disturbances, drug consumption less than 2 weeks before the study, medical treatment for severe conditions. | Subjective report. |
Augner et al., 2009 (Austria) [63]. | Provocation plus cross-sectional data | Voluntary participation. | General | N = 8, a.r = 18-67. | Self-reported electromagnetic hypersensitivity (rated as “strong” or “very strong”). | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Furubayashi et al., 2009 (Japan) [64]. | Provocation | Randomly selected female subjects (N = 2472). | MP & base station-specific | N = 11, m.a = 37.3. | Report of symptoms attributed to MP use and/or exposure to base stations, symptoms should persist “always” or “almost always” | History of myocardial infarction epilepsy or other (psycho) pathological condition, undergoing medical treatment for severe medical conditions. | Subjective report. |
Nam et al., 2009 (South Korea) [65]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation after description of the study through advertisements at a health care service/institution. | MP-specific. | N = 18, m.a = 26.1, f.g = 55.5%. | Self-reported hypersensitivity to EMF emitted only by CDMA cellular phones. | Self-reported hypersensitivity to other EMF sources, subjects concerned with payment for volunteering, | Subjective report. |
Szemerszky et al., 2010 (Hungary) [66]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation of university students. | General | N.R. | Self-reported electrosensitivity (rated from “not at all” to “fully”). | Severe medical disorders, health conditions such as premenstrual syndrome and common cold that could account for the reported symptomatology | Subjective report. |
Nieto-Hernandez et al., 2011 (UK) [67]. | Provocation | Voluntary participation after description of the study within UK Police Forces with the use of circular emails, notices in police newsletters and intranet sites & advertisements in police-related magazines & websites. | TETRA-specific | N = 60, m.a = 35.6, f.g = 11.7%. | Report of symptoms attributed to TETRA, report of being at least 70 % sure that the radio signal was the responsible source, occurrence of symptoms/sensations within an hour of radio use and when the radio was used near the head. | Pregnancy/trying to conceive, medical or psychological condition which could account for similar symptoms. | Subjective report. |
Reference (Country) | Study design | Recruitment | Type of sensitivity | IEI-EMF sample characteristics | Identifying criteria for IEI-EMF | Main exclusion criteria | Identification/Case definition methods for IEI-EMF |
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Bergdahl et al., 1998 (Sweden) [68]. | Cross-sectional | IEI-EMF subjects referred to a health care service/institution. | General, VDU-specific | N = 28, m.a = 45.5, f.g = 50%. | Report of symptoms assumed to be caused by VDU and/or other EMF sources. | N.R/E. | Subjective report, medical examination. |
Hocking, 1998 (Australia) [69]. | Cross-sectional | Voluntary participation after description of the study in a medical journal. | General | N = 0 (people identified with IEI-EMF) | Self-reported electrosensitivity. | N.R/E. | Subjective report |
Hillert et al., 1999 (Sweden) [70]. | Case–control | Subjects selected from an older occupational health survey & IEI-EMF subjects referred to a health care service/institution. | General | N = 62, a.r = 20 ≤ . | Self-reported hypersensitivity to EMF. | N.R/E. | Subjective report, medical examination (referred IEI-EMF subjects). |
Stockenius et al., 2000 (Switzerland) [71]. | Cross-sectional | Voluntary participation of male subjects (mostly university students) after description of the study through advertisements. | General | N.R. | Self-reported electrosensitivity to named sources (ranked from “very insensitive” to “very sensitive”). | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Bergdahl et al., 2001 (Sweden) [72]. | Cross-sectional | IEI-EMF subjects referred to a health care service/institution. | General | N = 44, m.a = 47, f.g = 57%. | Report of symptoms assumed to be caused by “abnormal sensitivity to EMF”. | N.R/E. | Subjective report, medical interview & examination. |
Hillert et al., 2001 (Sweden) [73]. | Cross-sectional | IEI-EMF subjects referred to a health care service/institution. | General | N = 14, m.a = 46, f.g = 64.3%. | Self-reported hypersensitivity to EMF including disabling fatigue attributed to EMF exposure. | Medical condition that could account for the reported symptomatology. | Subjective report, medical examination. |
Lyskov et al., 2001 (Sweden) [74]. | Case–control | IEI-EMF subjects referred to a health care service/institution. | General | N = 20, m.a = 47, f.g = 55%. | Report of a combined pattern of skin, general and ocular symptoms & attribution to EMF exposure. | Chronic diseases, acute illness the last 6 months, undergoing hormonal, hypotensive or sedative therapy. | Subjective report, medical examination. |
Hillert et al., 2002 (Sweden) [6]. | Cross-sectional | Randomly selected sample from general population (N = 10605). | General | N = 167, a.r = 19-80, f.g = 62.8% | Self-reported hypersensitivity to named EMF sources. | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Levallois et al., 2002 (USA) [8]. | Cross-sectional | Randomly selected sample from general population (N = 2072). | General | N = 68, m.a = 43.4, f.g = 58.8%. | Report of being allergic or very sensitive when being near electrical devices, computers and/or powerlines. | N.R/E. | Subjective report |
Stenberg et al., 2002 (Sweden) [75]. | Cross-sectional | IEI-EMF subjects referred to a health care service/institution. | General, VDT-specific. | General sensitivity: N = 50, m.a = 49, f.g = 62%. VDT specific: N = 200, m.a = 50, f.g = 78.5%. | General: Experience of symptoms attributed to EMF sources in general within 24 hours after being exposed. VDT-specific: Experience of (mainly skin) symptoms attributed to VDT, TV screens & fluorescent light within 24 hours after being exposed. For all subjects, the possible association between exposure & symptoms could not be ruled out. | Lack of medical records or examination, diagnosed medical condition, no symptom attribution to EMF within 24 hours after being exposed. | Subjective report, medical records & examination. |
Sandström et al., 2003 (Sweden) [76]. | Case control | IEI-EMF subjects registered to a health care service/institution. | General | N = 14, m.a = 48.9, f.g = 64.3%. | Individual perception that exposure to VDT, FTL, TV and/or other EMF sources causes symptoms within 24 h, the possible exposure-outcome association could not be ruled out. | Symptoms indicating autonomic nervous dysregulation, undergoing hormonal or hypotensive therapy, having arrhythmia due to frequent non-sinus beats or severe cardiac conduction disturbances. | Subjective report, medical examination. |
Bergdahl et al., 2004 (Sweden) [77]. | Case–control | IEI-EMF subjects referred and registered to a health care service/institution. | General | N = 250, m.a = 49.1, f.g = 75.2%. | Individual perception that exposure to VDT, TV and/or other EMF sources causes symptoms within 24 h. | N.R/E. | Subjective report, medical examination. |
Röösli et al., 2004 (Switzerland) [4]. | Cross-sectional | The survey was described to various local institutions and organizations which informed & encouraged IEI-EMF subjects to participate. | General | N = 394, m.a = 51, f.g = 57%. | Report of symptoms (open question) attributed to EMF exposure. | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Bergdahl et al., 2005 (Sweden) [78]. | Case–control | IEI-EMF subjects referred to a health care service/institution. | General | N = 33, m.a = 47, f.g = 51.5%. | Report of symptoms assumed to be caused by sensitivity to EMF. | N.R/E. | Subjective report, psychological examination. |
* Carlsson et al., 2005 (Sweden) [7]. | Cross-sectional | Randomly selected sample from general population (N = 13381), based on Östergren et al. (report) [46]. | General | N = 2748 (“some annoyance” by EMF), N = 354 (“much annoyance” by EMF), a.r = 18 ≤ . | Individual experience the past 2 weeks of “some” or “much” physiologic “annoyance” attributed to FTL, and/or VDU and/or other electrical equipment. | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Eriksson et al., 2006 (Sweden) [79]. | Cross-sectional | Random sample from general population (N = 2154). | General | N = 46, a.r = 18-64, f.g =76%. | For the past 3 months, report of 5 symptoms on a weekly basis and 5 on a monthly basis: These symptoms could be: fatigue, feeling heavy-headed, headache, concentration difficulties, itching, burning or irritation of the eyes, dry eyes, dry facial skin, flushed facial skin, itching/stinging/tight or burning sensation in facial skin & cold hands or feet. | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Schreier et al., 2006 (Switzerland) [10]. | Cross-sectional | Randomly selected sample from general population (N = 2048). | General | N = 107, a.r = 14<, f.g = 54.5%. | Report of adverse health effects (open question) attributed to EMF at the time of the interview or anytime in the past. | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Schüz et al., 2006 (Germany) [80]. | Cross-sectional | Voluntary participation from EMF self-help & action groups, internet & media advertisements, invitation letters. | General | N = 107, f.g = 54%. | Self-reported hypersensitivity to EMF. | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Eltiti et al., 2007 (UK) [53]. | Three cross-sectional investigations. | Investigation 1&3: IEI-EMF subjects through local self-help & action groups or personal contact. Investigation 2: Random selection from the general population (N = 3633) . | General | Investigation 1: N = 50, m.a = 52.5, f.g = 66%. Investigation 2: N = 698. Investigation 3: N = 88, m.a = 48.7, f.g = 53.4%. | Investigation 1: Self-reported sensitivity to EMF, attribution of symptoms to EMF. Investigation 2 &3: Self-reported sensitivity to EMF. | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Landgrebe et al., 2007 (Germany) [81]. | Case–control | Voluntary participation after description of the study in a local newspaper. | General | N = 23, m.a = 41.3, f.g = 74%. | Report of severe symptoms that limited daily functioning, attribution of these symptoms to named EMF sources & age between 18–64 y.o. | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Hardell et al., 2008 (Sweden) [82]. | Case–control | Voluntary participation. | General | N = 13 female subjects, m.a = 53. | Report of symptoms attributed to EMF. | Severe medical condition. | Subjective report, medical examination. |
Lidmark et al., 2008 (Sweden) [83]. | Cross-sectional, plus qualitative data | Voluntary participation of members of an IEI-EMF self-help group. | General | N.R. | Report of symptoms attributed to EMF | N.R/E. | Subjective report, medical & psychiatric examination. |
Schröttner et al., 2008 (Austria) [9]. | Cross-sectional | Randomly selected sample from general population (N = 526). | General | N = 16, a.r = 15-80, f.g = 50%. | Report of disturbance/adverse health effects (open question) attributed to named EMF sources, looking for medical help because of symptom severity. | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Dahmen et al., 2009 (Germany) [84]. | Case–control | Sample selected from EMF self-help groups, an internet-based survey on EMF and health & local advertisements. | General | N = 132, m.a = 51.5, f.g = 68.2%. | A symptom score of at least 14 points on the “Regensburger EMF complaint list” [85], attribution of health symptoms to named EMF sources & age between 18–56 y.o | Acute psychiatric disorder (after psychiatric examination). | Subjective report. |
Johansson et al., 2010 (Sweden) [23]. | Case–control | Voluntary participation after description of the study in newspaper advertisements. | General, MP-specific, VDT-specific | MP-specific sensitivity group: N = 45, m.a = 45.7, f.g = 62%. General sensitivity group: N = 71, m.a = 51.6 f.g = 82%. | Report of symptoms attributed to: 1. MP use only, 2. VDT use only or 3several types of electrical equipment. | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Mohler et al., 2010 (Switzerland) [86]. | Cross-sectional | Randomly selected sample from general population (N = 1212). | General | N = 253. | Self-reported electrohypersensitivity or report of adverse health effects attributed to EMF. | Consumption of sleeping pills, night shift workers, severe disability. | Subjective report. |
Nordin et al., 2010 (Sweden) [87]. | Cross-sectional | Voluntary participation of IEI subjects after description of the study in a local and a national newspaper. | General | N = 2, a.r = 18-69. | Report of being intolerant to EMF. | Pregnancy. | Subjective report. |
Röösli et al., 2010 (Switzerland) [88]. | Cross-sectional | Randomly selected sample from general population (N = 1122). | General | N = 130, a.r = 30-60, f.g = 72.3%. | Self-reported hypersensitivity to EMF. | N.R/E. | Subjective report. |
Review Process
Results
Search results
Study characteristics
Experimental studies
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Attribution of NSPS to either various or specific sources of EMF (being reported 13 times).
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Self-reported IEI-EMF (or synonymous terms) (n = 14).
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Experience of symptoms during or soon (from 20 minutes to 24 hours) after the individual perception or actual presence or use of an EMF exposure source (n = 10).
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High score on a symptom scale (n = 6).
Observational Studies
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Self-reported IEI-EMF (or synonymous terms) (n = 16).
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Attribution of NSPS to either various or specific EMF sources (n = 12).
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Experience of symptoms during or soon (from 20 minutes to 24 hours) after the individual perception or actual presence or use of an EMF exposure source (n = 3).
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Limitation in daily functioning of the individual due to the attributed health effects (n = 2).
Discussion
Possible subgroups
Dimensions of IEI-EMF | Case definition assessment/identification of IEI-EMF | |
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Research
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Clinical practice
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Health effects | - Subjective report of symptoms/physiologic reactions. | - Subjective report of symptoms/physiologic reactions. |
- The possibility that a known medical or psychiatric condition is the cause of the reported health complaints should be excluded with the use of standardized interview and patient history. | - The possibility that a known medical or psychiatric condition is the cause of the reported health complaints should be excluded after thorough physical and psychiatric examination and detailed patient history. | |
- Current status of residential and occupational exposure to harmful environmental agents that could be related to the reported complaints (other than non-ionizing EMF). | ||
Triggering factors | - Attribution of NSPS or other physiologic reaction(s) to either all/several EMF sources (General IEI-EMF) or one specific EMF source (such as VDU, MP or FTL)and/or | |
- Subjective report of being sensitive to specific or various EMF sources. | ||
Cognition & behavior (optional) | - Symptoms occur during or after the individual perception or actual exposure, presence or use of an EMF source. | |
- Regular avoidance behavior towards EMF source(s) due to the fear of a negative impact of EMF on health. |