Use of mobile and cordless phones and change in cognitive function: a prospective cohort analysis of Australian primary school children

Authors: Bhatt CR, Benke G, Smith CL, Redmayne M, Dimitriadis C, Dalecki A, Macleod S, Sim MR, Croft RJ, Wolfe R, Kaufman J, Abramson MJ

Year: 2017 Jun 19

Category: Environmental Health

Journal: Environ Health

DOI: 10.1186/s12940-017-0250-4

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28629417

Abstract

Overview

The study examines the potential long-term impacts of mobile and cordless phone use on the cognitive function in Australian primary school children, with a focus on how changes in phone usage over time could affect cognitive development.

Background

  • Previous research has indicated possible associations between phone use and cognitive function in children.
  • This study aims to further assess these associations longitudinally in a cohort of primary school children.

Methods

Children's use of mobile phones (MPs) and cordless phones (CPs), along with their cognitive performance, was measured at two time points. Cognitive performance was assessed using the CogHealth(tm) test battery and Stroop Color-Word test.

Findings

  • Significant usage of CPs was observed among children compared to MPs.
  • A few cognitive outcomes were associated with changes in MP usage, notably in tasks related to response inhibition and problem-solving.
  • CP usage showed very limited association with cognitive changes.

Conclusion

The study highlighted the prevalent use of CPs over MPs amongst children and presented limited evidence suggesting changes in phone usage influence cognitive function in a significant manner.

mobile phones cognitive function children cohort study environmental health longitudinal study
← Back to Stats