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A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
[Which route leads from chronic back pain to depression? A path analysis on direct and indirect effects using the
R A Fahland1, T Kohlmann, M Hasenbring
1Institut für Community Medicine, Universität Greifswald, Walther-Rathenau-Str. 48, 17487, Greifswald, Deutschland.
Background:
Chronic pain and depression are highly comorbid; however, the longitudinal link is only partially understood. This study examined direct and indirect effects of chronic back pain on depression using path analysis in a general population sample, focussing on cognitive mediator variables.
Methods:
Analyses are based on 413 participants (aged 18-75 years) in a population-based postal survey on back pain who reported chronic back pain at baseline. Follow-up data were collected after 1 year. Depression was measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Fear-avoidance-beliefs (FABQ), catastrophizing and helplessness/hopelessness (KRSS) were considered as cognitive mediators. Data were analyzed using path analysis.
Results:
Chronic back pain had no direct effect on depression at follow-up when controlling for cognitive mediators. A mediating effect emerged for helplessness/hopelessness but not for catastrophizing or fear-avoidance beliefs.
Conclusions:
These results support the cognitive mediation hypothesis which assumes that psychological variables mediate the association between pain and depression. The importance of helplessness/hopelessness is of relevance for the treatment of patients with chronic back pain.
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