EFFECT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES EMITTED FROM MOBILE PHONE ON BLINK REFLEX IN NORMAL HEALTHY MOBILE PHONE USERS

Background & objectives: Electromagnetic wave emitted from mobile phone affects not only the central but also peripheral nervous system. So, it was planned to study the effect of electromagnetic waves (EMW) emitted from mobile phone (MP) on cranial nerves by observing effect on Blink Reflex (BR). Methods: BR was recorded by stimulating the supra orbital nerve on both sides by keeping the cathode on supra orbital foramen and anode 2 cm laterally with sweep speed of 10 ms / division, pulse of 100ms duration, and intensity of 15-25 mA. It was recorded before and after 10 min exposure to MP (GSM type, Samsung GTN7100,902).Active electrode was placed at inferior orbicularis occuli muscle bilaterally and reference electrode at just lateral to the lateral canthus on both sides. Ground electrode was kept at forehead. Statistical analysis was done using paired “t” test. Results: In right eye, latency of iR1 and cR2 was increased (p<0.001) and iR2 was decreased (p<0.01) significantly after exposure to EMW emitted from mobile phone. In left eye, latency of iR1 and cR2 was decreased significantly (p