Design and Evaluation of a Decision Support System for Pain Management Based on Data Imputation and Statistical Models
Pombo, N.
;
Araújo, P.A.
; Rebelo, P. Rebelo
; Viana, J.C.
Measurement Vol. 93, Nº 0, pp. 480 - 489, July, 2016.
ISSN (print): 0263-2241
ISSN (online):
Scimago Journal Ranking: 0,73 (in 2016)
Digital Object Identifier: 10.1016/j.measurement.2016.07.009
Abstract
The self-reporting of pain complaints is considered the most accurate pain assessment
method and represents a valuable source of data to computerised clinical decision support
systems (CCDSS) for pain management. However, the subjectivity and variability of pain
conditions, combined with missing data, are constraints on the usefulness and accuracy of
CCDSS. Based on data imputation principles, together with several mathematical models,
this paper presents a CCDSS, the Patient Oriented Method of Pain Evaluation System
(POMPES), that produces tailored alarms, reports, and clinical guidance based on collected
patient-reported data. This system was tested using clinical data collected during a six-
week randomised controlled trial involving thirty-two volunteers recruited from an
ambulatory surgery department. The decisions resulting from the POMPES were fully
accurate when compared with clinical advice, which proves the ability of the system to
cope with missing data and detect either stability or changes in the self-reporting of pain.