Does exposure from the use of mobile phones affect lateralised performance and mood in a visual task?

Joanna E.N. Fowler*, Janet M. Noyes

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

Abstract

There has been increasing use of mobile phones and concerns about exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF). The aim of this study was to investigate lateralised effects of exposure on cognitive performance. Forty-eight healthy young males and females performed a dot detection task in three phone conditions, active right, active left and inactive; the completion of a well-being test followed this. Results show that reaction times (RT) are faster when the phones are switched off. In addition, RT is faster for the active phone in the right visual field when it is positioned over the right hemisphere than when the phone is positioned over the right hemisphere and in the left visual field. Also, when the active phone is over the left hemisphere, participants report greater sadness compared to the active phone over the right hemisphere. Previous studies on assymetrical brain function suggest deactivation of the left hemisphere increases negative affect. The combination of the results in the current study suggest a potential mood effect is operating.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018) - Volume I
Subtitle of host publicationVolume I: Healthcare Ergonomics
EditorsSebastiano Bagnara, Yushi Fujita, Riccardo Tartaglia, Sara Albolino, Thomas Alexander
PublisherSpringer, Cham
Pages619-627
Number of pages9
ISBN (Print)9783319960975
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Aug 2018
Event20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association, IEA 2018 - Florence, Italy
Duration: 26 Aug 201830 Aug 2018

Publication series

NameAdvances in Intelligent Systems and Computing
Volume818
ISSN (Print)2194-5357

Conference

Conference20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association, IEA 2018
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityFlorence
Period26/08/1830/08/18

Research Groups and Themes

  • Cognitive Science
  • Visual Perception

Keywords

  • Cognitive performance
  • Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF)
  • Well-being

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