Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Pain and Anxiety in Surgical Patients: A Systematic Review

摘要

Abstract This systematic review investigates the efficacy of artificial intelligence (AI) in alleviating pain and anxiety among patients undergoing surgical procedures, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of how AI-based approaches may improve patient outcomes and enhance the surgical experience. A comprehensive search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, using the PubMed database to identify relevant articles published up to May 1, 2024. The search included keywords related to “anxiety,” “pain,” “surgery,” and “artificial intelligence” encompassing clinical trials, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, reviews, and systematic reviews published in English and French. Studies examining the effects of AI interventions on pain and anxiety in surgical settings were included, narrowing an initial 1814 records down to 12 eligible studies. Results showed that AI interventions in pain management include machine learning models that predict recovery outcomes, personalize pain management, and optimize opioid dosages. AI also detects pain through facial expressions and predicts postoperative complications, enabling proactive interventions that improve patient outcomes. Technologies like the MEDiV robot and virtual reality have effectively reduced pain and anxiety, particularly in pediatric and postoperative care settings, while AI-driven mobile messaging has successfully reduced opioid use and pain intensity. However, research specifically addressing AI’s role in managing postoperative anxiety is limited, with only two studies focused on pediatric anxiety management using interactive robots. In conclusion, AI shows significant promise in enhancing pain management for surgical patients, offering tailored solutions that improve treatment efficacy and patient satisfaction. Despite encouraging results in pain management, the application of AI in anxiety management remains underexplored, revealing a critical research gap. Further studies are needed to fully harness AI’s potential, particularly for managing postoperative anxiety, to revolutionize patient care in surgical settings.