Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine
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Observational Study
Depressive Symptoms and Sleep Efficiency Sequentially Mediate Racial Differences in Temporal Summation of Mechanical Pain.
Racial differences in endogenous pain facilitatory processes have been previously reported. Evidence suggests that psychological and behavioral factors, including depressive symptoms and sleep, can alter endogenous pain facilitatory processes. Whether depressive symptoms and sleep might help explain racial differences in endogenous pain facilitatory processes has yet to be determined. ⋯ This study underscores the importance of examining the contribution of psychological and behavioral factors when addressing racial differences in pain processing. Additionally, it lends support for the deleterious impact of depressive symptoms on sleep efficiency, suggesting that both sequentially mediate racial differences in endogenous pain facilitation.