Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42109279›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in psychiatry2026

Impact of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure on sleep quality and mental health in a Tunisian power plant: a cross-sectional study.

Imène Kacem, Imen Jammeli, Chaima Sridi, Asma Gaddour, Manel Makhloufi, Asma Aloui, Asma Chouchane, Olfa El Maalel, Mohamed Kahloul, Nejib Mrizak

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in psychiatry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Imène KacemFaculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
Imen JammeliFaculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
Chaima SridiFaculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
Asma GaddourFaculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
Manel MakhloufiFaculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
Asma AlouiFaculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
Asma ChouchaneFaculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
Olfa El MaalelFaculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
Mohamed KahloulFaculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
Nejib MrizakFaculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) are ubiquitous in our daily life. They may have an impact not only on physical health but also on mental health. Objectives: To assess the impact of occupational exposure to the ELF-EMFs on sleep quality, depression, anxiety and stress among workers at the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (TEGC). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The study population included two groups: an exposed group (EG), consisting of power plant employees, and a non-exposed group (NEG), consisting of administrative workers. Exposure to ELF-EMFs was assessed via spot measurements using a magnetometer. Sleep quality, depression, anxiety and stress were assessed by the French versions of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results: Seventy-seven participants in the EG and 88 participants in the NEG were included in the study. The median value of the ELF-EMFs was 5.86 μT at the power plant [min 0.1, max 40.34 μT]. According to the PSQI global score, 64.9% of the EG had poor sleep quality versus 29.5% of the NEG. Depression was registered in 24.7% of EG and in 3.4% of NEG. Anxiety was noted in 23.4% of the EG and in none of the NEG. Stress was found in 46.8% of the EG and none of the NEG. After multivariate analysis, ELF-EMF exposure was significantly associated with poor sleep quality and depression. Conclusion: The present study revealed that ELF-EMFs can affect sleep and mental health. Further studies are needed to explain the mechanism involved.

Indexed as

anxietydepressionextremely low-frequency electromagnetic fieldssleep disordersstress

Identifiers

PMID42109279
PMCPMC13153050

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