Currently, the only way to assess pain is based on the patient’s self-assessment. But researchers, including Ke Peng from the University of Manitoba, are attempting to develop an objective marker by analyzing physiological reactions and brain activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Montreal, Gabrielle Pag\u00e9, psychologist at the CHUM Research Centre and member of the QPRN, is closely following this work. She emphasizes the complexity of pain and the challenges involved in measuring it. For her part, Dr. Aline Boulanger, Medical Director of the CHUM Pain Management Centre and member of the QPRN, points out that the brain plays a central role in pain perception, with several areas interacting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Researchers are specifically targeting the prefrontal and somato-sensory cortices to identify an objective signal. While such a breakthrough could help patients unable to express themselves, for example under general anaesthesia, it also raises ethical issues, notably concerning the recognition of pain not detected by a marker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although research is progressing, pain remains a complex phenomenon with multiple dimensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n