Chapter 9
Analyzing Pain and Stress from PPG
Perfusion Signal Patterns
Marcus Koeny
Abstract In this chapter, different methods for pain and stress assessment based on
PPG perfusion signal pattern analysis are presented. Hence, patients under narcosis
cannot be asked for their pain sensation, and the assessment of pain and stress must
be done based on vital signs measurement, like heart rate or blood pressure. Hence,
PPG and ECG are the vital signs, which are going to be assessed during every surgical
intervention, and different methods for stress assessment based on PPG and ECG
are introduced.
9.1 Introduction
Pain is a subjective feeling, which influences patient’s well-being. Even narcotized
patients react to pain, for example, with an increase of heart rate or blood pressure
depending on the depth of narcosis. Strong reactions to intraoperative pain can cause
postoperative stress and complications.
In the recovery room and postoperative care, pain therapy is important. An optimized pain therapy improves patient’s recovery from surgical interventions and
increases the well-being of the patient. Intraoperative pain assessment is done
by observing vital signs, and postoperative pain assessment is done by patient’s
self-evaluation.
9.2 Pain and/or Stress?
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls the most important body functions
automatically. It is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
M. Koeny (B)
Medical Information Technology, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH
Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
e-mail: perfusion.group@hia.rwth-aachen.de
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
V. Blazek et al. (eds.), Studies in Skin Perfusion Dynamics,
Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5449-0_9
151
Analyzing Pain and Stress from PPG
Perfusion Signal Patterns
Marcus Koeny
Abstract In this chapter, different methods for pain and stress assessment based on
PPG perfusion signal pattern analysis are presented. Hence, patients under narcosis
cannot be asked for their pain sensation, and the assessment of pain and stress must
be done based on vital signs measurement, like heart rate or blood pressure. Hence,
PPG and ECG are the vital signs, which are going to be assessed during every surgical
intervention, and different methods for stress assessment based on PPG and ECG
are introduced.
9.1 Introduction
Pain is a subjective feeling, which influences patient’s well-being. Even narcotized
patients react to pain, for example, with an increase of heart rate or blood pressure
depending on the depth of narcosis. Strong reactions to intraoperative pain can cause
postoperative stress and complications.
In the recovery room and postoperative care, pain therapy is important. An optimized pain therapy improves patient’s recovery from surgical interventions and
increases the well-being of the patient. Intraoperative pain assessment is done
by observing vital signs, and postoperative pain assessment is done by patient’s
self-evaluation.
9.2 Pain and/or Stress?
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls the most important body functions
automatically. It is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
M. Koeny (B)
Medical Information Technology, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH
Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
e-mail: perfusion.group@hia.rwth-aachen.de
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
V. Blazek et al. (eds.), Studies in Skin Perfusion Dynamics,
Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5449-0_9
151