Pain assessment using physiological responses/markers in different types of pain: a scoping review.

Journal: NPJ digital medicine
Published Date: Jan 15, 2026

Abstract

Pain is a complex multidimensional experience that integrates sensory and emotional components, presenting significant challenges for accurate assessment in clinical practice. Traditional methods of pain evaluation rely on subjective self-reporting and each individual's ability to communicate their pain experience. In light of the effect of pain on the Autonomic Nervous System, researchers are interested in developing objective assessment techniques using physiological signals. This paper outlines the latest advances in pain biomarkers and machine learning methods for assessing pain using physiological signals, highlighting the growing interest and unmet demand in this area. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, covering studies between 2014 and 2024. The discussion is organised into two areas: first, an analysis of the variations in signal feature behaviour across different pain types, and second, a review of the current state-of-the-art models for pain assessment developed using classical machine learning and deep learning techniques.

Authors

  • Camila Camacho-Navas
    Research Centre for Biomedical Engineering, City St George's, University of London, London, UK. [email protected].
  • Ling Li
    College of Communication Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin China.
  • Kavita Poply
    Pain Research Centre, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK.
  • Vivek Mehta
    Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
  • Panicos Kyriacou
    Research Centre for Biomedical Engineering, City St George's, University of London, London, UK.

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