TLDR
Using mobile phones more often was not clearly linked to worse thinking skills in the limited studies available. However, too little research exists to be confident about effects in children, older adults, or people exposed in workplaces and the environment.
Summary
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1 Study Aim
The authors aimed to assess whether long-term exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF), a type of energy produced by wireless devices, affects cognition, or thinking abilities. They examined learning and memory, planning and self-control, attention, language, movement-related perception, and social understanding. The study also investigated whether greater exposure was linked to larger cognitive effects. The research asked whether wireless-device exposure is related to changes in thinking, and whether heavier exposure produces stronger changes.
2 Study Design
The authors conducted a systematic review (a structured search and assessment of existing studies) and meta-analysis (a statistical combination of results). They searched four databases through September 30, 2022, without date or language limits. Eligible studies were cohort or case-control studies examining RF exposure and cognition. Five studies from four cohorts included 4,639 people: 2,808 adults and 1,831 children in Australia, Singapore, and Switzerland. Most measured exposure through mobile-phone calls per week or minutes per day. The authors assessed study limitations and evidence certainty using established review tools. The researchers combined results from a small number of human studies, mainly involving mobile-phone use.
3 Findings
For children, two studies involving 615 participants found little change in learning, memory, executive function, or complex attention with increased mobile-phone use. Evidence certainty ranged from low to very low. One older-adult study found little or no effect on overall thinking, executive function, complex attention, or learning and memory. Its evidence was very uncertain. The authors found no exposure-response relationship, meaning heavier exposure did not consistently produce larger effects. They recommend studies covering environmental and workplace exposure, more age groups, and additional cognitive abilities. They also recommend better exposure measurement and standardised cognitive testing. The available research does not show a clear harmful link, but important questions remain unanswered.