AI-Powered App Aims to Objectively Measure Pain, But Challenges Remain

Can technology truly measure pain? A recent article in MIT Technology Review explores how an AI-powered smartphone app, PainChek, is attempting to do just that. The app analyzes subtle facial movements to gauge a person's pain level, offering potential benefits for patients who struggle to articulate their discomfort, such as those with dementia. However, the app is not without its limitations. Its assessments are still benchmarked against subjective pain reports, raising questions about its accuracy for individuals who can already communicate effectively. Furthermore, even with an objective pain score, effective treatment options, especially for chronic pain, remain limited. Pain, as the article points out, is a deeply subjective experience, influenced by past experiences, mood, and expectations. Neuroscientist Stuart Derbyshire emphasizes that subjective reports are still the “gold standard” in pain assessment, suggesting that a truly objective “pain-o-meter” may never exist.