Smart Phones Making Us
Stupid Says New Study
Telecom TV
Journalist: Andrew Beutmueller
September 20, 2007
In yet another piece of new research into the possible effects of the RF radiation emanating from mobile phones and its effects on human physiology, it is now being alleged that the frequent use of mobile handsets can slow human brain function.
The
study says there is evidence to suggest that Alpha and Theta brain wave
activity and "Alpha Peak Frequency" are influenced by the heavy use of
mobiles. According to a joint statement from the Brainclinics Diagnostics,
Radboud University in the Netherlands, the Institute of Psychiatry in
London and the Brain Resource Company Ltd in Sydney, the research used
an "epidemiological approach" to investigate the long-term effects of
mobile phone use on the brains of 300 people. The study group was
divided into 100 frequent mobile phone users, 100 non-mobile phone
users and 100 "intermediate" users.
The differences in brain waves between the three groups were measured
using a so-called "QEEG" or quantitative EEG wherein "attention, memory
and executive function and personality traits were assessed."
On the upside the study says that subjects, despite the slowing of
their brain functions, also demonstrated increased multitasking
abilities. The research says this ability is probably the result of
respondents being accustomed "to making phone calls in distractive
surroundings."
Martin Arns, the lead investigator in the study cautions that "the
slowing found in this study, with mobile phone users, can still be
considered within 'normal' limits" but considering "the time of data
collection - only 2.4 years on average which can currently be
considered as a short time therefore, it is to be expected that the
observed effects in this study can be more severe with prolonged mobile
phone use."
Come again?
The researchers also point out that no "firm conclusions" can be drawn
as to whether "this slowed brain activity is to be considered as an
adverse health effect or not," until much larger groups of subjects are
studies for a much longer period.
So is there any value whatsoever in this latest addition to a crowded
and noisy corner of the mobile telephony funhouse? I'll leave it for
you to make up your own minds, mine's too slow.