Detection of Electrodermal Activity in Pain 2

The goal of this study is to investigate the association between self-reported pain and electrodermal activity and to create an algorithm that detects pain and provides timely alarms for rising pain levels in patients with life-threatening illnesses suffering from persistent pain. The study is exploratory. Hypothesis: Electrodermal activity can distinguish different pain intensity levels in patients with chronic pain and a life-threatening disease. Methodology: Thirty-seven patients with cancer and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will be identified through hospital record screening. These patients will wear a monitoring device for a maximum of one week and report their pain intensity throughout the day. Analysis: Discriminant analysis will be used to differentiate between mild, moderate, and severe pain. This study is exploratory, generating hypotheses for subsequent phases of the project.