9.1. Evaluative literature study on the influence of electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields on oxidative processes in humans and in animal and laboratory studies

Project management: Fraunhofer ITEM, Hannover
Start: 1 September 2019
End: 30 November 2020

Background

The triggering of oxidative stress is postulated as a mechanism how non-ionising electromagnetic fields could exert negative effects on the function of cells (and moreover on organs or the whole body). Oxidative stress is the increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can no longer be compensated for by cellular processes. ROS are very reactive and react with important biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. The existing scientific literature on this topic is inconsistent and often shows qualitative deficiencies in its implementation. It is thus difficult to make clear statements on the relevance of oxidative stress from a radiation protection perspective.

Objectives

In order to analyse and evaluate the ambiguous study situation, a systematic review will be conducted. The aim is to provide a sound assessment of the influence of electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields on oxidative stress as well as a qualitative evaluation of the published studies. If necessary, possible future research needs are to be derived from the results of the systematic review.

Implementation

Prior to the actual work on the systematic review, a study protocol will be prepared and published on the Prospero-Webseite. This protocol will contain the exact details of how the systematic review was conducted (i.e. information on the search strategy and the assessment of study quality, among other things).

The DistillerSR software for systematic reviews will be used to analyse and evaluate the data from the literature collected. The manual published by the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) will be used to assess the studies.

The search, selection, and processing of the literature will be carried out according to the guidelines of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination.

The systematic review will be is guided by the PECO questions (Population, Exposure, Comparators and Outcome). Together with the PRISMA guidelines, these are decisive for the development of the protocol and the review. Criteria for the evaluation of the literature include a blinded experimental design, quality of exposure to electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields and the inclusion of controls. When assessing the quality of the studies, the way in which oxidative stress was measured also plays a decisive role. The literature will be assessed and the data will be extracted independently by two reviewers.

At the end of the systematic review, the literature will be assessed with regard to the quality of the studies and their informative value on the relationship between oxidative stress and electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields.