Effect of generated radiofrequency electromagnetic field to heart rate variability in students

In this study, totally 50 grammar school students were exposed (or sham exposed) to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF). The physiological variations in heart rate variability (HRV) were examined. The EM wave was used as a pulse modulated 1788.5 MHz sine wave generated by signal functional generator. In exposed group, a lying position was characterized by significant increase in parasympathetic nerve activity after the RF EMF exposure (RR: p <; 0.001; rMSSD: p <; 0.001) comparing to laying position in sham-exposed group (RR: p = 0.2; rMSSD p = 0.9). None of the tested subject was able to reveal real exposure from sham exposure correctly after the trial. Our results showed that RF EMF has a noticeable effect on HRV and autonomic nerve balance. The limit, 15 min exposure was enough to invoke complex response of autonomous nerve system (ANS) with significant increase in parasympathetic nerve activity in laying person comparing to sham-exposure.