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Human cognitive performance in a 3 mT power‐line frequency magnetic field
Author(s) -
Corbacio Michael,
Brown Samantha,
Dubois Stephanie,
Goulet Daniel,
Prato Frank S.,
Thomas Alex W.,
Legros Alexandre
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
bioelectromagnetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.435
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-186X
pISSN - 0197-8462
DOI - 10.1002/bem.20676
Subject(s) - cognition , memory span , audiology , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , neuropsychology , analysis of variance , psychology , neuropsychological test , medicine , clinical psychology , working memory , neuroscience
Extremely low frequency (ELF, <300 Hz) magnetic fields (MF) have been reported to modulate cognitive performance in humans. However, little research exists with MF exposures comparable to the highest levels experienced in occupations like power line workers and industrial welders. This research aims to evaluate the impact of a 60 Hz, 3 mT MF on human cognitive performance. Ninety‐nine participants completed the double‐blind protocol, performing a selection of psychometric tests under two consecutive MF exposure conditions dictated by assignment to one of three groups (sham/sham, MF exposure/sham, or sham/MF exposure). Data were analyzed using a 3 × 2 mixed model analysis of variance. Performance between repetitions improved in 11 of 15 psychometric parameters (practice effect). A significant interaction effect on the digit span forward test ( F = 5.21, P < 0.05) revealed an absence of practice effects for both exposure groups but not the control group. This memory test indicates MF‐induced abolition of the improvement associated with practice. Overall, this study does not establish any clear MF effect on human cognition. It is speculated that an ELF MF may interfere with the neuropsychological processes responsible for this short‐term learning effect supported by brain synaptic plasticity. Bioelectromagnetics. Bioelectromagnetics 32:620–633, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.