Abstract
The ability to perform two tasks simultaneously is essential for daily activities. In older adults, this ability is markedly reduced, as evidenced by the dual-task cost on gait. Preliminary evidences indicate that the dual-task cost can be influenced by different types of manipulations. Here, we explored the effectiveness of a new approach to reduce the dual-task cost, based on the placebo effect, a psychobiological phenomenon whereby a positive outcome follows the administration of an inert device thought to be effective. Thirty-five healthy older adults were asked to walk on a sensorized carpet (single-task condition) and to walk while counting backward (dual-task condition) in two sessions (pre-test and post-test). A placebo group, randomly selected, underwent sham transcranial direct current stimulation over the supraorbital areas between sessions, along with information about its positive effects on concentration and attention. A control group did not receive any intervention between sessions. The dual-task cost was significantly reduced in the placebo group at the post-test session compared to the pre-test for several gait parameters (Cohen’s d > 1.43). At the post-test session, the dual-task cost was also lower in the placebo group than in the control group (d > 0.73). Cognitive (number of subtractions and number of errors) and subjective (perceived mental fatigability) variables remained stable across sessions. The reduced dual-task cost in the placebo group could indicate the ability to re-establish the allocation of attentional resources between tasks. These findings could contribute to the development of cognitive strategies that leverage positive expectations to boost motor control in older adults.
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Acknowledgements
The study was partially supported by the Italian Ministry of Research and University (MIUR) 5-year special funding to strengthen and enhance excellence in research and teaching (https://www.miur.gov.it/dipartimenti-di-eccellenza).
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BVS: Conceptualization, Methodology, Data Curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing–original draft, Project administration. MG: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Writing –review and editing. MEA: Data Curation, Formal analysis, Writing–review and editing. NV: Data Curation, Investigation, Writing–review and editing. GR: Writing–review and editing. FP: Formal analysis, Investigation. ZM: Investigation, NS: Writing–review and editing. MT: Writing–review and editing. MF: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing–review and editing, Supervision, Project administration.
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Villa-Sánchez, B., Gandolfi, M., Emadi Andani, M. et al. Placebo effect on gait: a way to reduce the dual-task cost in older adults. Exp Brain Res 241, 1501–1511 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-023-06620-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-023-06620-x