Clinical features of headache associated with mobile phone use: a cross-sectional study in university students

Abstract

BackgroundHeadache has been reported to be associated with mobile phone (MP) use in some individuals. The causal relationship between headache associated with MP use (HAMP) and MP use is currently undetermined. Identifying the clinical features of HAMP may help in clarifying the pathophysiology of HAMP and in managing symptoms of individuals with HAMP. The aim of the present study is to describe the clinical features of HAMP.MethodsA 14-item questionnaire investigating MP use and headache was administered to 247 medical students at Hallym University, Korea. Individual telephone interviews were subsequently conducted with those participants who reported HAMP more than 10 times during the last 1 year on the clinical features of HAMP. We defined HAMP as a headache attack during MP use or within 1 hour after MP use.ResultsIn total, 214 (86.6%) students completed and returned the questionnaire. Forty (18.9%) students experienced HAMP more than 10 times during the last 1 year in the questionnaire survey. In subsequent telephone interviews, 37 (97.4%) interviewed participants reported that HAMP was triggered by prolonged MP use. HAMP was usually dull or pressing in quality (30 of 38, 79.0%), localised ipsilateral to the side of MP use (32 of 38, 84.2%), and associated with a burning sensation (24 of 38, 63.2%).ConclusionWe found that HAMP usually showed stereotyped clinical features including mild intensity, a dull or pressing quality, localisation ipsilateral to the side of MP use, provocation by prolonged MP use and often accompanied by a burning sensation.

Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression

“…The studies of headache occurrence on prolonged cell/mobile phone calls (typically well over one hour) listed under Chu et al, 2011 in Table 3 also suggest the assumed doseresponse relationship (see also Chia et al, 2000;Oftedal et al 2000 andearlier citations listed in Frey, 1998). Because such headaches only occur with prolonged cell/mobile M a n u s c r i p t phone calls, these studies also provide evidence for a dose-response relationship because low doses are ineffective.…”

“…There is also a strong association where important new exposures occur -this is clearly the case with all of the studies of people living near cell/mobile phone base stations, listed in Table 3 and also with the two studies of people who become exposed to radiation from smart meters. The studies listed in Table 3 under Chu et al, 2011 (see also Chia et al, 2000;Oftedal et al 2000) are of a special type. Here people making very long (over 1 h.) cell/mobile phone calls develop headaches an hour or more following the initiation of the long call.…”

Erythema Ab Igne in the Palmar Area Induced by Smart Phone: Case Report

“…It is reported that during prolonged use of mobile phones, individuals feel a burning sensation in their auricles which might be associated with warming of the device. 9 Also in a study by Kapdi et al the health hazards of electromagnetic radiation exposure in terms of thermal effects from mobile phones was emphasized. 10 During playing games, watching videos or texting the phone is held in the left palm facing up the screen and allowed for the right-hand swiping.…”

Epidemiological Characteristics of Mobile Phone Ownership and Use in Korean Children and Adolescents

“…Various studies have suggested radiofrequency (RF) emitted from mobile phones as one of the possible causes of these symptoms, however, recent studies have documented no association between these two factors [23]. It has been suggested that the effect of heat or noise from mobile phone use [24] or the nocebo effect may be the possible cause [23,[25][26][27] for these health symptoms. Nonetheless, with the lack of studies regarding the effect of accumulated exposure to radiofrequency in children, and no solid conclusion over the question of whether children are more susceptible to the exposure of radiofrequency waves [28,29], it is still advised that children take precautionary measures to avoid unnecessary exposure to mobile phones [19].…”