ICMR backs AI-based mobile app project to help diagnose chronic pain

The Indian Council of Medical Research has approved a research project to develop an artificial intelligence based mobile application aimed at improving the diagnosis and management of chronic pain conditions.

The project will be undertaken by the Institute of Engineering and Technology in Lucknow in collaboration with medical institutions including Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The initiative has received funding support of about ₹1.61 crore.

Researchers involved in the project said the proposed application will analyse patient data and symptoms to help identify different forms of chronic pain, including conditions affecting the back, neck, joints and nerves. The tool is expected to support doctors in assessing pain patterns and guiding treatment decisions.

Medical experts note that chronic pain remains one of the most underreported and poorly managed health issues in India, particularly in smaller towns and rural regions where access to specialist care is limited. Developers of the project believe an AI supported digital tool could help bridge that gap by assisting frontline healthcare providers.

The research team said the project will involve clinical validation and data analysis before the application is made available for wider use in healthcare settings. If successful, the platform could offer a scalable approach to improving pain assessment and management across the country.