Placebo and Competitive Placebo Effects on Motor Skill

Placebos have been determined to be very effective in drug research and related areas. Three groups of 20 undergraduate and graduate male students each were formed in order to analyze the placebo effect in motor learning and performance. All subjects performed in two tasks: one involving the pursuit rotor and the other reaction time-movement time. When examining mean trial performance, no differences were noted in either task among the groups (placebo, competitive-placebo, and control). Groups improved in performance with trials in both tasks and a significant interaction effect was observed in reaction time and movement performance. In general, the trends were not in the expected direction as far as group differences in performance were concerned and were explained accordingly.