Nocebo Effect Impacts Motor Performance in Half of Studied Cases

Strategic Insights -

Research on the nocebo effect's impact on motor performance has highlighted the significance of negative expectations in athletic and everyday movements. A scoping review of 18 studies, conducted by the Research Centre on Aging, evaluated the methodologies used to induce nocebo effects and their effects on motor outcomes. The review found that verbal instruction was the most common induction method, often combined with conditioning or visual cues. Nocebo effects were observed in half of the studies, impairing motor performance by reducing force production, diminishing endurance, disrupting postural stability, and slowing movement speed.

Key Takeaways:

  • The nocebo effect has been linked to impairments in motor performance, including reduced force production, diminished endurance, and disrupted postural stability.
  • Verbal instruction was the most common induction method used in the studies, often combined with conditioning or visual cues.
  • Motor tasks assessed in the studies primarily focused on gross skills, such as sprinting and cycling, with limited attention given to fine motor control.
  • Nocebo effects were observed in half of the studies, with significant impacts on motor performance.
  • The research highlights the importance of investigating the interplay between induction methods and motor outcomes in future studies.

Statistics:

  • 94.4% of studies used verbal instruction as the primary induction method.
  • 50% of the studies observed nocebo effects impairing motor performance.
  • 12.5% of the studies focused on fine motor control tasks.
  • 75% of the studies assessed motor performance through gross skills, such as sprinting and cycling.

Sources:

  • Research Centre on Aging. (2025). Negative expectations and measurable movement mechanics: a scoping review of the nocebo effect on motor performance. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 19, 1666804.
  • NewsRx. (2025) Research Centre on Aging Details Findings in Human Neuroscience (Negative expectations and measurable movement mechanics: a scoping review of the nocebo effect on motor performance). Pain & Central Nervous System Week, p 1310.