Effectiveness of an AI-based home exercise app for rehabilitation of rotator cuff-related shoulder pain: A randomized controlled trial.
Olga Villar-Alises, Celia Cónstenla Cortés, Manuel Rodríguez-Piñero Durán et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of an AI-based home exercise app combined with standard physiotherapy in 46 adults with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain. The study found significant pain reduction at 4 and 12 weeks, with a mean difference of -1.01 (95% CI -1.8 to -0.2) at 4 weeks, and fewer participants in the intervention group required post-intervention healthcare.
Key findings
- Pain reduction exceeded the minimal clinically important difference at 4 and 12 weeks.
- Upper limb function improved more in the intervention group at Week 4 (MD -7.3; 95% CI -12.3 to -2.2).
- FABQ scores decreased more in the intervention group at Week 12 (MD -7.6; 95% CI -14 to -0.5).
- Fewer participants in the experimental group required post-intervention healthcare (3 vs 10; p=0.02).
Why it matters
The findings suggest that integrating digital rehabilitation tools into conventional physiotherapy may enhance treatment outcomes for patients with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain, potentially leading to improved function and reduced healthcare utilization.