Can AI support the objective assessment of chronic pain?

Pain is the first reason for a doctor's consultation. It is a very personal and complex experience that is influenced by biological, social, and psychological factors like sleep quality, emotional or affective state, physical activity, fear of pain, and psychological disorders. However, both physiological changes (in heart rate, skin conductance), occurring during pain, and contextual factors, that influence pain perception, allow for monitoring using wearable sensors.

Chronic pain is defined as pain that minimally lasts for 3 months. Suffering from chronic pain is associated with a high mental burden, which directly and indirectly worsens pain perception. Due to its complexity and its impact, chronic pain requires a multidisciplinary personalized treatment. However, the search for an efficient therapy can still take years caused by the subjectivity of pain reporting and the absence of insight into the precise influence of contextual factors. This project aims to offer a more objective, technology-based, method to evaluate the therapy of chronic pain patients by monitoring the course of pain perception using wearable sensors. Additionally, more detailed information about the impact of contextual factors on pain would contribute to scientific knowledge.