Quantification is essential for all scientific research. It is also particulary important for medical diagnosis and follow-up.
The intensity of almost all subjective medical symptoms is a continuum, not an on-off phenomena. The assesment and quantification of symptoms such as intensity of pain, tiredness, tinnitus, etc. has traditionally been done with the help of the visual analogue scale (v.a.s.). It is done with paper, pen and a ruler. The patient is asked to indicate with a vertical bar the subjective intensity of his/her symptom on a 100 mm bar. This is obviously by nature a 1-dimensional tool.
Modern digital visual technology enables a 2-dimensional approach to this need. It adds a significant psycho-visual component to the self-assessment, helping to better perceive the severity of the symptom and to quantify it. It is expected to be more sensitive, accurate and comprehensive than the old one-dimensional technique, still as easy to use.
This app is the first of its kind and will be indispensable to all medical practitioners.