Abstract

Background: The use of mobile phone has increased excessively these days which can have a deleterious effect on human tissues and organs, especially cardiovascular system (CVS). The effects on CVS can be detected at an early stage by analyzing alterations in heart rate variability (HRV).

Aims and Objectives: This study was designed to determine the effect of mobile phone use with different components of HRV.

Materials and Methods: In our study, HRV was measured in 95 college-going students (males: 49 and females: 46) using root mean square polyrite-D during 3 phases with each phase being recorded continuously for 2 min: Phase 1: Basal recording; Phase 2: Mobile phone use during active call with direct contact to the ear; and Phase 3: Mobile phone use during active call with earphones. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using repeated measures non-parametric test followed by multiple comparison tests.

Results: There was a significant increase in mean HR and decrease in mean RR interval from baseline through Phase 3 to Phase 2. This study shows that there was statistically significant change in root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences, low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and LF/HF ratio between basal recording and during active call (direct contact of mobile phone to the ear and also with use of earphones); however, no change was seen between direct contact of mobile phone to the ear and during the use of earphones. Standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals did not show any significant change. We also observed gender differences in some of the HRV parameters.

Conclusion: There is a considerable effect of mobile phone use on HR and HRV parameters. Furthermore, the changes noted are less with earphone use than when compared with the use of mobile phone in direct contact with the ear though these differences were not significant statistically.

Key words: Heart Rate Variability; High Frequency; Low Frequency; Low Frequency/High Frequency Ratio; Mobile Phone; Root of the Mean of the Sum of the Squares of Differences; Standard Deviation of All Normal-to-normal Intervals