Electrohypersensitivity: Provocation studies (1999-2017)

C. Brabant, I. Demaret, M. Ledent, G. Scantamburlo, M. Ansseau

Within the framework of the BBEMG project, the Unit of Psychoneuroendocrinology studies Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF, aka electro hypersensitivity) form a psychoneuroendocrinological perspective.

During the past four years (2013-2017), we have interacted with the public to provide information to people who were concerned about the potential effects of electromagnetic (EM) fields on health. Moreover, we have interacted with many subjects suffering from IEI-EMF (IEI-EMF subjects) who have contacted our unit to seek help. We have helped these subjects by listening to their stories. We have provided practical advice so they could learn to distance themselves from potentially harmful EM sources. IEI-EMF subjects were redirected to specialists if mental or physical illnesses could explain their symptoms.

Some evidence suggests that IEI-EMF subjects are on average more anxious than regular people. Therefore, we have further examined the characteristics of IEI-EMF subjects in our studies (2013-2017) by focusing on anxiety and the HPA axis. IEI-EMF subjects were compared to control subjects using a double blind procedure. All the subjects completed questionnaires that were designed to measure electro hypersensitivity symptoms. In our experiments, the subjects were wearing a helmet that generated an EM field of 50 Hz and 20 μT for 45 min. The helmet was turned on (EM field ON) or off (sham condition) depending on the experimental conditions. Blood samples were taken to assess hormone levels (ACTH, cortisol, oxytocin) and anxiety levels were evaluated using the STAI.

C. Rocha, M. Crasson, M. Ledent, M. Ansseau

Durant ces quatre années, nous avons clôturé la recherche sur l’ « évaluation clinique et psychologique des effets de l’exposition à un champ magnétique 50 Hz sur les performances cognitives et le report de symptômes ». Nous avons 135 participants dont plus de 60% de femmes et un âge moyen de 45 ans. Nous avons trouvé des niveaux d’anxiété, de dépression, d’affectivité négative, de symptômes psychiatriques et d’amplification des symptômes significativement plus élevé chez les personnes EHS vs contrôles. Seule l’affectivité positive et les croyances reliées à la santé ne diffèrent pas d’un groupe à l’autre. En ce qui concerne les tests cognitifs, il y avait une différence significative entre personnes EHS et groupe contrôle avant l’exposition. Le questionnaire D2 évalue l’attention visuelle et la capacité de concentration. Ici, nous voyons que les EHS sont moins efficaces …

Il est important de noter que les symptômes rapportés par les individus présentant une EHS sont réels, même s’ils ne peuvent pas être « objectivement » attribués aux champs électromagnétiques. En effet, dans cette étude, nous mettons en évidence l’incapacité des EHS à mieux déterminer la présence d’un champ magnétique d’extrêmement basse fréquence par rapport au groupe témoin.

Suite aux discussions avec les participants EHS, à la demande croissante d’une prise charge, nous avons souhaité développer un programme de prise en charge psychologique des patients EHS. Etant donné que la TCC est efficace dans beaucoup d’autres syndromes inexpliqués, elle devrait aussi être utile pour les patients EHS. C’est l’hypothèse qu’ont fait déjà quelques chercheurs. Avec la revue de la littérature réalisée par Rubin et al. (2006), on constate que trois des quatre études testant l’efficacité des TCC pour les EHS montrent de meilleurs résultats pour le groupe expérimental que pour le groupe contrôle (réduction de la souffrance subjective, réduction de la sévérité des symptômes, réduction de l’invalidité et réduction du nombre de personnes se décrivant comme EHS). En comparaison avec d’autres solutions (filtre écran, « shielding » émetteurs CEM, thérapie de supplémentation en antioxydants), la TCC est la plus efficace.

C’est ainsi que l’objet de nos recherches s’est dirigé, tout naturellement vers la prise en charge des symptômes psychologiques par une psychothérapie structurée d’orientation cognitivo-comportementale…
Pour le moment, 8 personnes EHS ont reçu les 10 séances de psychothérapie. Nous avons pu observer une amélioration de tous les aspects étudiés ainsi qu’une diminution de l’impact perçu de l’électricité sur le bien-être et ce dans différents domaines de vie. La psychothérapie a pu aider les personnes EHS à se sentir mieux.

Pour un tour d’horizon du sujet, voir notre module Electrosensibilité / EHS.

M. Crasson, S. Nevelsteen, J.J. Legros, M. Ansseau

Hypersensitivity to electricity (EHS) – Idiopathic environmental illness attributed to electricity

Hypersensivity to electricity or electrosensitivity, also called idiopathic environmental intolerance by the World Health Organisation, is related to complaints expressed by certain people in relation to the use or proximity to electrical devices or installations.

The goal of this research is to better characterise this illness (symptom report, sources etc. throughout a questionnaire specially designed) and delineate the factors involved in the development and/or maintaining of this problem. People complaining about hypersensitivity to electricity or questioning themselves about this relationship are compared to subjects without complaints related to electromagnetic field exposure. Cognitive (working memory and concentration), psychological (psychological distress, well-being, etc.) as well as psychophysiological (event-related potentials or ERPs: P300 and CNV) parameters have been selected for this purpose. This assessment is realised in one half-day of clinical evaluation (blood sample, cognitive tasks, psychophysiological recording, interview, open field provocation test) or 3 half-days (1 half a day of clinical evaluation and 2 double blind provocation tests). This protocol was approved by the Ethic Committee.

We received 77 questionnaires from which 55 were analysed. In summary, the data from the specially builded questionnaire (M. Crasson) indicated that EHS subjects were more often well educated subjects and women. They report numerous and various symptoms, some of them comparable of those observed in the hyperventilation syndrome. They also report a higher number of environmental annoyances. Aggravating factors and improving factors are often environmental ones and associated to the perceived exposure to EMF. Avoidance behaviour and shielding are often used as coping strategies. Although the well-being is worsen by their problem, the majority of EHS subjects were able to work or to go out. Radiofrequency fields are the most incriminated sources of exposure in this sample. Very few subjects are complaining only about ELF fields.

The data of psychological scales (n=26 EHS) indicated a high level of psychological distress and depressive symptoms as well as a more anxious temperament than the control group. The cross-over design of this study does not allow to conclude if it is the cause or the consequence of their electrosensitivity. However, a higher level of trait anxiety could represent a possible factor of vulnerability for developing or maintaining an environmental illness and/or a higher mental distress.

Twenty seven subjects participated in the ERPs recordings and 30 in the cognitive evaluation (working memory and concentration tasks).

We observed a statistical slowing of mean reaction time in the warning paradigm (VCN) and a lower number of items processed in the D2 concentration task. The electrophysiological data didn’t indicate any difference during these performance tasks. Consequently, we can make the hypothesis that the control subjects were more motivated to perform the tasks rapidly, as a challenge. The higher number of errors in the oddball paradigm (P300) in the EHS group could be interpreted as a lesser discrimination ability and warrants further investigation.

Finally, the open field provocation test indicated that the 14 EHS subjects, who also participated in the double blind study, reported more symptoms when they are exposed the 50 Hz MF (20 µT), knowing that they are really exposed. It was observed whatever the incriminated source of exposure (ELF, EF, ELF+RF). However, in the double blind provocation study, the EHS group was not able to perceive the presence of MF better than chance.

Communication strategies are put in place regarding EHS throughout individual information, the BBEMG web site, conferences and training, and the collaboration with teams working in other disciplines.

M. Crasson & J.J. Legros

The role of information on the report of symptoms

Objectives : The goal of this research was to analyse the importance of risk perception as a pathogenic factor of “electrosensitivity”, and more specifically, the effects of expectancies and beliefs. We analysed the role of expectancies and the effects of acute exposure of 50 Hz magnetic fields (400µT) on cognitive performance, reporting of symptoms and some psychological and physiological parameters including urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin concentration.

Method : The 74 volunteers were randomly assigned to one of the five groups. These were different according to the type of information (positive, negative or neutral) that magnetic field exposure was expected to have on the performance of the subject on cognitive tests and the type of exposure (real or sham) (group “+”: positive and sham; group “-“: negative and sham; group “+/-“: neutral and sham; group “expo”: neutral and real and group “control”: no information and no exposure).

Results and conclusion : The information given did not significantly modify beliefs. No significant difference was found between the five groups, according to the type of information and the type of exposure, in cognitive performance, symptom reporting, mood, vigilance, blood pressure, pulse rate and urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin concentration profile.

Symptom reporting is not associated to the belief of being exposed to magnetic fields or by real exposure. To better understand what caused symptom reporting, a regression analysis was made. The regression model included 4 selected variables (state of anxiety, satisfaction of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), positive affectivity and comfort under the helmet) and explains more than 30 percent of symptom reporting (R2 adjusted = 0.32, F (4,66) = 9.37, p<.001). This model explains more than 30 percent of the report of symptoms and strengthens the hypothesis that symptom26/01/11by a psychological process of anxiety (Pennebaker, 1994).

In the context of the study, with a population of healthy men without any anxiety symptomatology, the type of information given failed to induce expected changes in parameters measured. It seems appropriate to use a more arousing message which could induce more emotions and lead to cognitive, emotional and somatic reactions attributed to magnetic field exposure and to test as well the impact of information and EMF exposure on people who have characteristics in common with EHS sufferers such as women.

Clinical research activities – Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electricity, electrosensitivity, electrical hypersensitivity

Electrosensitivity is a self-defined condition where individuals experience adverse effects while using or being in the vicinity of devices or equipment emitting electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields. Most of the studies are Scandinavian and indicate dermatological complaints from visual display units workers. However, more and more individuals complain about a general syndrom, neurasthenic-like, which extends to other sources of non-ionising radiation, power-lines and mobile systems. The use of the term “electrosensitivity” or hypersensitivity to electricity” cannot be considered to imply an already established causal relationship between electromagnetic fields and symptom reporting, as shown by provocation studies. The origin of electrosensitivity appears to be multifactorial and this heterogeneous illness requires a multidisciplinary approach in diagnostics and treatment.

In this project, the question of electrosensitivity was examined in more detail by mean of clinical interviews, evaluation and follow up of people claiming to be hypersensitive to electromagnetic fields. A review paper was published in the European Review of Applied Psychology ( Crasson, M. (2005). Revue Européenne de Psychologie Appliquée, 55(1):51-67).

Testing and sometimes a follow up were carried out with around 20 people complaining about electrosensitivity. Due to the fact that people often have to make a long trip to come to our unit, we generally organize a one day evaluation, including a complete anamnesis and a clinical evaluation (M. Crasson), blood sampling and medical examination (Prof. J.J. Legros) including a blood sample sent to the VITO for genetic investigation (Prof. Verschaeve). The medical examination is required to identify and treat any specific medical diseases that may be responsible for the symptoms reported.

Provocation tests were performed when EMF exposure induced direct reactions and when the person consented to perform them (11 cases). They did not lead to conclude that people were able to detect EMF exposure (9 tests with 50 Hz MF and 2 tests with RF fields). No evidence of any causal relationship between EHS symptoms and 50 Hz MF exposure or « GSM » fields was established.

Particular attention was paid to the management of EHS symptoms, to the information related to EMF health effects and to the follow up of EHS patients. A standardised interview and a list of questionnaires were analysed and established for the evaluation of EHS people in the future.

Sensitivity to Electricity

M. Crasson, L. Verschaeve, P. Pirotte, M-T. Hagelstein, J-J. Legros

Some cases of presumed ‘electrosensitivity’ have been seen in the Psychoneuroendocrinology Unit. Subjects claimed to be sensitive to artificial ELF electromagnetic fields or to something related to electricity use. Medical and psychological evaluations, as well as provocation studies, were conducted to identify and better characterize this syndrome.

Blood samples were sent to the VITO for genetic tests (L. Verschaeve). In some cases, residential MF measurements were made by Prof. P. Pirotte, and urinary samples were collected for aMT6s (melatonin metabolite) concentration measures. The cases were so different that a uniform profile could not be drawn. The inconsistency in results obtained with the medical examination and with the provocation studies (see below) suggests that the potential association between EMF and symptoms is complex and restricted to certain conditions, and confounded by exposure to other stimuli. Further clinical studies are needed to better understand this syndrome.