The influence of geomagnetic field compensation on human cognitive processes

Abstract

The influence of compensation of the geomagnetic field to levels below 0.4 μT (referred to below as “zero magnetic field”) on human cognitive processes has been studied. 40 participants in the study were assigned to four groups according to their gender and age. The study focused on the assessment of cognitive processes. Each participant took part in two experiments, one of which was set up under normal (control) conditions, whereas the second one was set up under the conditions of a zero magnetic field. 45 min of exposure to zero magnetic field caused statistically significant changes in five out of eight parameters in the cognitive tests. The magnitude of the effects varied between 1.3 and 6.2%, with an average value of 2.1% for all tests ( p < 0.002, MANOVA). It was found that exposure to a zero magnetic field resulted in an increased number of errors and extension of the time required to complete the tasks compared to normal conditions. Men outperformed women under zero magnetic field conditions and young people performed better than older people. It was found that factors other than age and gender affected the cognitive performance under zero magnetic field conditions.