In this scientific project, persons who experience that they react within short time periods to certain electromagnetic fields are offered the opportunity to assess this in their homes: Can they indeed by repetition identify when the EMF signal is…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
electrogevoeligheid
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The primary outcome of the study will be the difference in self-rated
electromagnetic sensibility as measured on a 100 mm visual analogue scale
comparing the rating at 2 months after testing in the immediate testing arm
with the scoring prior to testing in the delayed testing arm.
Secondary outcome
The secondary outcomes will be (a) the frequency of persons able to by
repetition correctly assess whether exposure is present or absent in the
double-blind testing, and (b) the longitudinal course of self-rated
electromagnetic sensibility in the subsequent questionnaires (baseline,
directly pre/post-testing at home visit and follow-up after home visit), as
measured on a 100 mm visual analogue scale.
Background summary
Are some people sensitive to electromagnetic fields? This is the central
question of the study *GESOND*, which stands for *sensibility for
electromagnetic signals study*. The study is performed by the University of
Utrecht and the GGD Amsterdam.
Study objective
In this scientific project, persons who experience that they react within short
time periods to certain electromagnetic fields are offered the opportunity to
assess this in their homes: Can they indeed by repetition identify when the EMF
signal is present and when not?
Study design
All participants will be visited at home either immediately, or delayed after a
few months. During the home visit they will be asked to do a series of test
rounds to assess whether an exposure is present or absent: The exposure unit
that sends out the signal does so in a double blind fashion. This means that
neither participants nor the study assistant know beforehand whether the signal
is present or absent in any of the test rounds. All participants receive their
personal results (the amount of correct answers) directly afterwards.
To assess the effect of participation on the study, participants are asked to
fill in a questionnaire about their perception of electromagnetic sensibility
beforehand, and 2 and 4 months later.
Intervention
Participants can choose which signal they want to get tested from an array of
selectable signals, such as DECT phone, WiFi or base station signals, or
extremely-low frequency fields, such as a LED lamp. These signals are alike
those as encountered in real life.
Study burden and risks
Burden: the subjects have to call the centralized phone number, fill in the
questionnaires, undergo the personalized testing procedure at home (a maximum
of 2x4 hours). Risks: Persons who report they usually experience certain
reactions or symptoms upon exposure, would be expected to experience these also
upon (perceived) experimental exposure. The experimental exposure consists of
signals that are regularly encountered in everyday environments, at levels very
far below legal threshold levels. A multitude of studies have applied similar
exposures at (partly) higher levels, and have not detected harmful effects to
health or well-being. Benefit: Participants receive a home visit in which they
can verify their own hypothesis of reacting within minutes to certain EMF
signals.
Yalelaan 2
Utrecht 3584 CM
NL
Yalelaan 2
Utrecht 3584 CM
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
The study population for the experiment will consist of up to 40 adult subjects reporting electromagnetic sensibility. Adult participants (older than 18 years old), with sufficient profiency in Dutch language, will be included if they report electromagnetic sensibility, i.e. the ability to sense one of the available experimental (real-life) EMF signals within minutes of being exposed, or developing acute and transient health complaints that occur and disappear within 15 minutes if exposure is short.
Exclusion criteria
Inability to complete the administered questionnaires, e.g. due to insufficient knowledge of the Dutch language or cognitive impairment. Time between start of exposure and sensing exposure or development of symptoms plus recovery time from symptoms exceeds 15 minutes.
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL45964.041.14 |