Pain is often challenging to articulate, a fact many individuals can attest to during medical consultations. A recent encounter with a doctor involved gauging pain on a scale from 1 to 10. This ranking proved difficult, particularly as a score of 10 references “the worst pain imaginable,” reminiscent of past experiences like appendicitis.
Prior to the consultation, an injury involving a broken toe had occurred, which was intensely painful, yet it felt less severe than appendicitis. Thus, if appendicitis scores a 10, breaking a toe might be an 8, leading to a perceived current pain level of 6. This scoring seemed inadequate compared to the actual discomfort experienced. Such a process raises questions about individual variability in pain assessment. How might others with similar conditions score their pain?
Pain is inherently subjective, influenced by personal experiences, moods, and expectations. The descriptions and assessments of pain can vary widely among individuals. Notably, in the 1940s, anesthesiologist Henry Beecher observed that wounded soldiers often requested less pain relief compared to similarly injured civilians. The reasons behind this difference remain unclear—did these soldiers exhibit a stoic demeanor, or did they feel fortunate to have survived?
In light of the complexities surrounding pain assessment, a functional tool for evaluating pain could greatly assist medical practitioners. The smartphone app PainChek offers a potential solution by analyzing small facial movements, such as lip raises and brow pinches. Users must also complete a checklist to identify additional signs of pain. This app appears effective and is currently being utilized in various hospital and care settings, creating a more standardized approach to pain evaluation.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/24/1126451/an-ai-app-to-measure-pain-is-here/