Does precautionary information about electromagnetic fields trigger nocebo responses? An experimental risk communication study

Table 6 Means of symptom perceptions at T₂ and T₃

Perceived symptom	T₂ Mean (SD)	T₂ Percent ‘markedly’; ‘strongly’^a	T₃ Mean (SD)	T₃ Percent ‘markedly’; ‘strongly’ ^a
Ear noise	2.05 (.87)	20.4; 6.6	1.98 (.95)	17.5; 8.8
Fatigue	1.35 (.58)	5.1; 0	1.57 (.76)	11.7; 1.5
Restlesness or irritability	1.28 (.51)	2.9; 0	1.25 (.58)	2.9; 1.5
Sweating	1.23 (.45)	1.5; 0	1.14 (.39)	1.5; 0
Concentration difficulties	1.22 (.53)	0.7; 1,5	1.39 (.67)	10.2; 0
Dizziness	1.21 (.43)	0.7; 0	1.39 (.68)	6.6; 1.5
Drowsiness	1.20 (.42)	0.7; 0	1.35 (.58)	5,1; 0
Palpitation	1.20 (.45)	2.2; 0	1.32 (.56)	4.4
Feeling of warmth on skin	1.18 (.44)	2.2; 0	1.26 (.61)	4.4; 1.5
Dryness of mouth	1.17 (.46)	1.5; 0.7	1.28 (.61)	5.8; 0.7
Congestion of nose	1.17 (.52)	2.2; 1.5	1.15 (.51)	2.2; 1.5
Headache	1.14 (.39)	1.5; 0	1.47 (.64)	8; 0
Blurred vision	1.11 (.34)	0.7; 0	1.21 (.56)	2.9; 1.5
Muscle tension or trembling	1.10 (.33)	0.7; 0	1.16 (.44)	2.9; 0
Breathlessness	1.10 (.35)	1.5; 0	1.17 (.49)	2.9; 0.7
Breathing difficulties	1.07 (.29)	0.7; 0	1.18 (.50)	2.9; 0.7
Prickling of skin	1.07 (.29)	0.7; 0	1.25 (.55)	5.8; 0
Nausea	1.04 (.21)	4.4; 0	1.18 (.48)	4.4; 0
Itching of skin	1.03 (.21)	0.7; 0	1.12 (.41)	2.9; 0
Stomach ache	1.01 (.09)	0.7; 0	1.14 (.42)	2.9; 0

^aon a 4-point scale with labels 'not at ll', 'mildly', 'markedly', and 'strongly'

ISSN: 1476-069X