Assessing pain through facial movement analysis

Cukurova University

Not applicable Interventional Cukurova University · NCT06485856

This study tests a new way to measure pain in patients who can't talk by looking at their facial movements, specifically for those in intensive care who are awake but unable to communicate.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment46 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCukurova University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Adana)
Trial IDNCT06485856 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate pain in patients who are conscious but unable to communicate verbally, particularly in intensive care settings. It utilizes a pain diagnostic system that measures facial movements to assess pain levels accurately. The methodology involves the application of an Action Coding process to analyze facial expressions, which may help reduce bias in pain assessment by healthcare professionals. The study focuses on patients with intubation or tracheostomy who have a Glasgow Coma Score of 13-15 and have consented to participate.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and over who are conscious but unable to communicate verbally due to intubation or tracheostomy.

Not a fit: Patients with facial abnormalities, neurological disorders, chronic pain history, or those who cannot communicate in the same language as healthcare professionals may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more accurate pain assessments in non-verbal patients, improving their pain management.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of facial recognition technology in pain assessment is emerging, this specific approach has not been widely tested in similar studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 years and over,
* Those with intubation/tracheostomy,
* Conscious, unable to communicate verbally,
* Glaskow coma score 13-15,
* Patients who agreed to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Those with any facial abnormality that may alter facial expression analysis (facial paralysis, Poland-mobius syndrome)
* Those with neurological and mental disorders,
* Having a history of chronic pain,
* Those who have a condition that requires them to be in the prone position all the time (Pilonidal Sinus, ARDS, etc.),
* Patients who cannot speak the same language as the healthcare professional

Where this trial is running

Adana

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions NursingPain AssessmentCritical CareTechnologyFacial RecognitionNursePain assessmentIntensive care
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.