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The following is a summary of “Placebo Hypoalgesic Response Is Reduced in Healthy Older Adults Showing a Decline in Executive Functioning,” published in the April 2025 issue of Journal of Pain Research by Rischer et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to examine age-related changes in the magnitude of placebo hypoalgesia and the potential modulating effects of executive functions, including working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control.  

They recruited 39 younger adults (18–36 years) and 42 healthy older adults (OAs) (60–82 years) who completed a series of executive function tests. Placebo hypoalgesic response was evaluated using a sham transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) intervention while participants received moderately painful electrical stimuli to their arms. Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were taken during the placebo procedure, and pain ratings were collected from the participants.  

The results showed that both age groups experienced notable placebo hypoalgesic effects, with reduced pain ratings and pain-related brain potentials in response to the sham treatment. Poorer executive functions in OAs, particularly working memory and cognitive flexibility, were linked to smaller placebo responses. Executive functions also influenced the age group difference in placebo hypoalgesia: when cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control scores were low, OAs exhibited smaller placebo responses compared to younger adults.  

Investigators concluded that age-related declines in executive functioning contributed to a reduced placebo hypoalgesic response in OAs. 

Source: dovepress.com/the-placebo-hypoalgesic-response-is-reduced-in-healthy-older-adults-sh-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JPR