Chicken or egg? Attribution hypothesis and nocebo hypothesis to explain somatization associated to perceived RF-EMF exposure

Authors: Ariccio S, Traini E, Portengen L, Martens A, Slottje P, Vermeulen R, Huss A

Year: 2025 Apr 9

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: Front Public Health

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1561373

URL: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1561373/full

Abstract

Overview

The aim of this study is to understand the temporal relationship between somatization usually attributed to RF-EMFs (Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields) and to evaluate both the attribution hypothesis and the nocebo hypothesis in this context.

Method

This longitudinal study analyzed data from the Dutch Occupational and Environmental Health Cohort Study (AMIGO), which included:

  • A baseline questionnaire from 2011 with 14,829 participants
  • A follow-up questionnaire from 2015 with 7,904 participants
Participants provided information on health status, perceived environmental exposures, and demographics. Two sets of multiple regression analyses were used to assess the attribution and nocebo hypotheses.

Findings

Results show that the attribution hypothesis more frequently explained symptom reporting associated with perceived RF-EMF base station exposure and perceived electricity exposure, compared to the nocebo hypothesis.

Discussion

This finding contrasts with much of the existing literature, which generally points to the nocebo effect as the primary explanation for somatization in response to RF-EMF exposure. While the presence of a nocebo effect is not entirely ruled out, especially over other timescales, this result carries significant implications for policymaking. Highlighting the attribution hypothesis underscores the discomfort experienced by individuals with unexplained symptoms and their search for plausible explanations related to RF-EMF exposure.

⚠️ This study supports a connection between perceived electromagnetic fields and reported health risks, necessitating ongoing attention for EMF safety and public health guidance.

RF-EMF somatization attribution hypothesis nocebo effect health risk policy symptom reporting
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