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African Americans Show Alterations in Endogenous Pain Regulatory Mechanisms and Reduced Pain Tolerance to Experimental Pain Procedures

From the Departments of Psychiatry (M.B.M., K.C.L., J.M.F., S.S.G.), Psychology (M.B.M.), and Dentistry (W.M.), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

View larger version (21K): [in a new window]   Figure 1. Mean (+SEM) ischemic pain threshold and tolerance levels as a function of ethnicity and rest versus stress conditions. African Americans had significantly lower tolerance values after rest and stress, whereas no ethnic differences existed in threshold levels (Time Point x Ethnic interaction, *p < .001).

View larger version (18K): [in a new window]   Figure 2. Mean (+SEM) cold pain threshold and tolerance levels as a function of ethnicity and rest versus stress conditions. African Americans had significantly lower tolerance values after rest and stress, whereas no ethnic differences existed in threshold levels (Time Point x Ethnic interaction, *p < .01).

View larger version (20K): [in a new window]   Figure 3. Mean (+SEM) thermal heat pain threshold and tolerance levels as a function of ethnicity and rest versus stress conditions. African Americans tended toward lower tolerance values after rest and stress, whereas no ethnic differences existed in threshold levels (Time Point x Ethnic interaction, *p < .07).