Does radiofrequency radiation impact sleep? A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot study

Abstract

Overview

The study examines the effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field (RF-EMF) exposure from digital devices such as a baby monitor on sleep quality in healthy adults under real-world conditions.

Methodology

• Double-blind, randomised, crossover design
• Duration: 4-week trial with a one-week initial run-in, followed by 7 nights of exposure to active or sham RF-EMF, then crossed to the alternate condition after a week's washout.
• Tools Used: Pittsburgh Insomnia Rating Scale, electroencephalography, actigraphy, and heart rate variability measures from electrocardiogram.

Findings

Exposure to 2.45 GHz RF-EMF from a baby monitor significantly impacted subjective sleep quality as measured by the Pittsburgh Insomnia Rating Scale. EEG analyses showed increased power density in higher frequencies during non-Rapid Eye Movement sleep. However, heart rate variability and actigraphy did not show significant changes.

Conclusion

Initial evidence suggests that RF-EMF exposure could negatively alter sleep patterns in some individuals, warranting larger-scale studies for further confirmation.