Is There a Connection Between Electrosensitivity and Electrosensibility? A Replication Study

International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Renáta SzemerszkyFerenc Köteles

Abstract

Among people with idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF), a better than random detection ability for a 50-Hz 0.5-mT magnetic field (MF) and a propensity to experience more symptoms than controls was reported in a previous study. The current study aimed to replicate and clarify these results using a modified experimental design. Participants of the provocation experiment were 49 individuals with self-reported IEI-EMF and 57 controls. They completed the questionnaires (symptom expectations, Somatosensory Amplification Scale--SSAS, radiation subscale of the Modern Health Worries Scale--MHWS Radiation) and attempted to detect the presence of the MF directed to their right arm in 20 subsequent 1-min sessions. Symptom reports were registered after each session. Individuals with IEI-EMF as opposed to the control group showed a higher than random detection performance (d' index of signal detection theory), while no difference in their bias (β index) toward the presence of the MF was found. Predictors of reported symptoms were self-reported IEI-EMF and believed as opposed to actual presence of the MF. People with IEI-EMF reported significantly more symptoms particularly in the believed presen...Continue Reading

References

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Dec 31, 2011·International Journal of Behavioral Medicine·Ferenc Köteles, Péter Simor
Jun 16, 2012·International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health·Ferenc KötelesGyörgy Bárdos

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Citations

Feb 11, 2016·Scandinavian Journal of Psychology·Zsuzsanna DömötörFerenc Köteles
May 28, 2016·Scandinavian Journal of Psychology·Ferenc KötelesRenáta Szemerszky
Jun 22, 2016·International Journal of Behavioral Medicine·Eva PalmquistSteven Nordin
Aug 16, 2017·Journal of Health Psychology·Zsuzsanna DömötörFerenc Köteles

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