Wearable Devices: Current Status and Opportunities in Pain Assessment and Management

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> We investigated the possibilities and opportunities for using wearable devices that measure physical activity and physiometric signals in conjunction with ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data to improve the assessment and treatment of pain. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We considered studies with cross-sectional and longitudinal designs as well as interventional or observational studies correlating pain scores with measures derived from wearable devices. A search was also performed on studies that investigated physical activity and physiometric signals among patients with pain. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Few studies have assessed the possibility of incorporating wearable devices as objective tools for contextualizing pain and physical function in free-living environments. Of the studies that have been conducted, most focus solely on physical activity and functional outcomes as measured by a wearable accelerometer. Several studies report promising correlations between pain scores and signals derived from wearable devices, objectively measured physical activity, and physical function. In addition, there is a known association between physiologic signals that can be measured by wearable devices and pain, though studies using wearable devices to measure these signals and associate them with pain in free-living environments are limited. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> There exists a great opportunity to study the complex interplay between physiometric signals, physical function, and pain in a real-time fashion in free-living environments. The literature supports the hypothesis that wearable devices can be used to develop reproducible biosignals that correlate with pain. The combination of wearable devices and EMA will likely lead to the development of clinically meaningful endpoints that will transform how we understand and treat pain patients.

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“…Degenerative lesions of articular cartilage, secondary osteophytes, and aseptic inflammatory lesions in KOA patients are the main causes of chronic pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knee joint U7I, and the symptoms gradually worsen as the disease progresses, and KOA patients often have limited joint function, which can lead to disability in severe cases [ 6 ]. Leroux et al conducted a survey of 110 patients with osteoarthritis in a community in Shanghai and found that 27.4% of KOA patients had depressive symptoms [ 7 ]. A study by Vadivelu et al found that 47.4% of KOA patients had anxiety or depression or both, and both anxiety and depression scores were higher than local normative levels [ 8 ].…”

Consumer Wearables for Patient Monitoring in Otolaryngology: A State of the Art Review

“…However, these measures are subject to various cognitive biases and cannot be reliably captured in certain noncommunicative patient populations. 61 The Joint Commission recognizes the limitations in metrics such as the Numeric Pain Rating Scale and encourages development of comprehensive assessments that incorporate the impact of pain on physical function. 62 Given the known association between pain and delayed mobilization after major surgery, it is tempting to look to step count as measured by consumer wearables as a proxy indicator of postoperative pain levels.…”

“…34 However, the degree to which accelerometry data correlate with reported pain scores remains disputed. 61 Thus, while accelerometry may provide some insight, these data alone are likely insufficient to characterize postoperative pain levels.…”

“…Pain is a complex biopsychosocial phenomenon unique to the individual, yet assessment of pain is traditionally restricted to unidimensional metrics, such as the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. However, these measures are subject to various cognitive biases and cannot be reliably captured in certain noncommunicative patient populations 61 . The Joint Commission recognizes the limitations in metrics such as the Numeric Pain Rating Scale and encourages development of comprehensive assessments that incorporate the impact of pain on physical function 62 .…”

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“…However, another study's findings include that the following have limited their usage in children: Repost of pain in children may be impacted by their awareness of the rating significances. 9,10 A comprehensive evaluation is required to give the best possible treatment and to plan the most successful therapy for the patients. As the most crucial stage of the rehabilitation process, it helps clinical thinking and decision-making whenever the need to make wise decisions regarding the rehabilitation process itself is there.…”