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

February 26, 2026 updated by: Omer Alperen Gurses, Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi

Effect of ChatGPT and DeepSeek-Guided Rehabilitation on Clinical Outcomes in Individuals With Subacromial Pain Syndrome

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.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed 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 in a 1:1:1 ratio 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. The allocation sequence was generated using simple computer-based randomization by an independent staff member and was revealed after completion of baseline assessments. 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). The primary outcome was shoulder pain and disability (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, SPADI), assessed at baseline and 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS), health-related quality of life (Short Form-12, SF-12), upper limb function (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, Quick DASH), range of motion, isometric strength, kinesiophobia, catastrophizing, emotional status, and disease-specific quality of life.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
75

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Merkez
      • Kırşehir, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye), 40100
        • Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Training and Research Hospital, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

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

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Standard Exercise Group
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.
Behavioral: Conventional Exercise Program
Exercise protocol targeting subacromial pain syndrome, including shoulder mobility, strengthening, and posture correction exercises based on established clinical guidelines.
Experimental: DeepSeek-Guided Exercise Group
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.
Behavioral: DeepSeek-Guided Rehabilitation
Personalized rehabilitation exercises generated by DeepSeek-R1 and implemented under physiotherapist guidance.
Experimental: ChatGPT-Guided Exercise Group
Participants receive standard physiotherapy combined with exercises generated by the ChatGPT-4o large language model. Each group included 23 participants who completed the 6-week intervention and were included in the final analysis.
Behavioral: ChatGPT-Guided Rehabilitation
AI-generated exercise recommendations from ChatGPT-4 tailored to the patient's profile and applied under physiotherapist supervision.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Disability (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, SPADI)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Disability related to shoulder pain will be measured.Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (0-100; higher scores indicate worse disability).
Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Pain Intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) at rest, during activity, and at night. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (0-10; higher scores indicate worse pain).
Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Change in Quality of Life (Short Form-12, SF-12)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Health-related quality of life will be evaluated.Short Form-12 (Physical Component 12-48; Mental Component 12-48; higher scores indicate better quality of life).
Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Change in shoulder range of motion (ROM)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Active range of motion in shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, internal and external rotation will be measured using a standard manual goniometer.
Baseline and after 6 weeks
Change in shoulder and elbow muscle strength (K-Force)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Isometric muscle strength of shoulder and elbow flexion, extension, and rotation will be assessed using the Kinvent K-Force digital dynamometer. Values will be recorded in Newtons.
Baseline and after 6 weeks
Change in Kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, TSK)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Kinesiophobia will be measured using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (17-68; higher scores indicate greater fear of movement).
Baseline and after 6 weeks
Change in shoulder function (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form, ASES)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Shoulder function will be evaluated using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES). ASES (0-100; higher scores indicate better shoulder function).
Baseline and after 6 weeks
Change in Pain Catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale, PCS)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Pain catastrophizing will be assessed.Pain Catastrophizing Scale (0-52; higher scores indicate worse catastrophizing).
Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Change in Emotional Status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Anxiety and depression will be evaluated.Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (0-21 for Anxiety subscale, 0-21 for Depression subscale; higher scores indicate worse symptoms).
Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Change in disease-specific quality of life (Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index, WORC)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Disease-specific quality of life in patients with shoulder pathology will be measured.WORC (0-2100; higher scores indicate worse symptoms / lower quality of life).
Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Change in upper extremity function (Quick DASH)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Functional status of the arm, shoulder, and hand will be assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Quick DASH) questionnaire. Higher scores indicate greater disability.
Baseline and after 6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 25, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 1, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 20, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
August 3, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 23, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 29, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
February 27, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 26, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 2025/874

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to ethical restrictions and institutional policy. The study was not designed with external data sharing in scope.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings