Effect of duration of per day exposure to electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone on verbal and visual memory in male adults

ABSTRACT

Background: Mobile phones (MPs) are mostly kept close to the head while making a phone call, and therefore, the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from MP may be potentially damaging to the brain and hence its neurological functions. Reports available on the effect of MP radiation on human memory is scarce and inconclusive so far. Aims and Objectives: The present study was planned to evaluate the effect of per day durations of EMR exposure through MP calls on verbal and visual memory using paper and pencil cognitive tests. Materials and Methods: Twenty healthy right-handed male subjects within age group 18–40 years were recruited for the study and divided into two groups. Those making MP calls of more than 1 h/day were placed in the Group-A and those making calls <1 h/day in Group-B. Both groups were evaluated for verbal and visual memory using Rey auditory verbal learning test (RAVLT) and playing card test (PCT) before and after exposure to EMR for 10 min. Statistical analysis was done by paired “t” test. Results: Group-B performed significantly better in RAVLT than Group-A. No significant difference was seen in PCT. After exposure to EMR from MP, the performance in PCT of both the groups deteriorated significantly. Conclusion: Longer per day exposure to EMR from MP affects verbal memory, while visual memory may be more susceptible to acute exposures.