ChatGPT and DeepSeek-Assisted Rehabilitation in Subacromial Pain (LLM-RehabSP)

Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi

Status: Completed

Conditions: Subacromial Pain Syndrome

Treatments: Behavioral: ChatGPT-Guided Rehabilitation; Behavioral: DeepSeek-Guided Rehabilitation; Behavioral: Conventional Exercise Program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07148687

2025/874

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to evaluate the effects of rehabilitation programs supported by artificial intelligence-based large language models (LLMs), specifically ChatGPT and DeepSeek, in individuals with subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: standard physiotherapy, standard physiotherapy plus ChatGPT-guided exercises, and standard physiotherapy plus DeepSeek-guided exercises. Outcomes including pain, disability, quality of life, muscle strength, and joint range of motion will be assessed before and after a 6-week intervention. The results will help determine whether AI-generated exercise recommendations can enhance clinical outcomes when combined with conventional physiotherapy.

Full description

This completed randomized controlled trial investigated the clinical effects of integrating AI-generated exercise recommendations into conventional physiotherapy for individuals with subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS). A total of 82 individuals were assessed for eligibility; 7 were excluded for not meeting inclusion criteria. Seventy-five participants provided consent and were randomized equally to 3 groups (n=25 each): (1) conventional physiotherapy plus a conventional exercise program, (2) conventional physiotherapy plus ChatGPT-guided exercises, and (3) conventional physiotherapy plus DeepSeek-guided exercises. Interventions were delivered over 6 weeks (3 supervised sessions/week).

Six participants discontinued the intervention due to scheduling conflicts (2 per group). Sixty-nine participants completed the 6-week intervention and were included in the final analysis (n=23 per group).

Co-primary outcomes were pain intensity (NPRS: rest, activity, night), shoulder pain and disability (SPADI), and health-related quality of life (SF-12 PCS/MCS), assessed at baseline and 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes included DASH, range of motion, isometric strength (Kinvent K-Force; Newtons), kinesiophobia (TSK), pain catastrophizing (PCS), emotional status (HADS), and shoulder function (ASES, WORC).

Enrollment: 75 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Being between the ages of 18 and 65
• Having been diagnosed with Subacromial Pain Syndrome (SAPS) for at least four weeks, diagnosed through clinical and physical examination
• Actively maintaining shoulder range of motion
• Being cognitively and physically capable of participating in an exercise program
• Agreeing to participate voluntarily in the research process and providing written consent

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of other shoulder pathologies such as rotator cuff tear, frozen shoulder, glenohumeral instability, or labrum tear
• Presence of conditions included in the differential diagnosis such as cervical radiculopathy, neurological disorders, rheumatological diseases, or fibromyalgia
• History of shoulder surgery within the last 6 months
• Pregnancy
• History of systemic or neuromuscular disease
• Refusal to consent to voluntary participation

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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75 participants in 3 patient groups

Standard Exercise Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants receive standard physiotherapy combined with a conventional exercise program for subacromial pain syndrome based on evidence-based clinical guidelines. Each group included 23 participants who completed the 6-week intervention and were included in the final analysis.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Conventional Exercise Program

ChatGPT-Guided Exercise Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receive standard physiotherapy combined with a conventional exercise program for subacromial pain syndrome based on evidence-based clinical guidelines. Each group included 23 participants who completed the 6-week intervention and were included in the final analysis.

Treatment:

Behavioral: ChatGPT-Guided Rehabilitation

DeepSeek-Guided Exercise Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receive standard physiotherapy combined with exercises generated by the DeepSeek-R1 large language model. Each group included 23 participants who completed the 6-week intervention and were included in the final analysis.

Treatment:

Behavioral: DeepSeek-Guided Rehabilitation