Effects of 30-min mobile use on selected brain function tests in female medical students

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Today, mobile phones (MPs) have become an indispensable tool because of the countless perks it provides. In India, there are more than a million MP users. When compared with total telecommunication users, MPs users are 88%. Extensive use of MP has led to exposure to a dangerous level of electromagnetic waves. Many investigations concluded that MP use reduces the cognitive function of the human brain, however, there is a difference of opinion within the research workers. The present research work can be used to plan the large-scale study which will be useful to decide safety limits and advice for advocating safety measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the present study, 240 female medical students (age group: 18–23 years) from KIMS, Karad, were studied. Durations of visual reaction time, trail making test A and B, and letter cancellation test were studied. Digit span test scores were also measured. All the parameters were studied before and after 30-min mobile use. RESULTS: It was observed that there was a highly significant decrease in values of all the parameters studied (P < 0.001) after 30 min of mobile use. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that 30 min of mobile exposure affects the brain function. Hence, the large-scale study with more duration of exposure and large sample size is required to find conclusive results.

Keywords

• brain function tests
• medical students
• mobile use