AI symptom checks before visiting physical therapy: does it change spine care decisions?

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a prospective observational cohort study at a spine physical therapy clinic. It compares patients who used an AI symptom-checker in the prior 30 days with those who did not, focusing on how much patients and clinicians engage in shared decision-making during the initial evaluation. Primary outcome is a measure of shared decision-making; secondary aims include illness presentation stage, alignment between patient and clinician diagnoses, baseline status, function, health-seeking behavior, and short-term outcomes. Eligible adults are 18+ presenting for a new spine-related evaluation, with several exclusion criteria to avoid confounding factors. The study is led by Assiut University in Egypt.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age: 18 years or older
* Presenting for a new evaluation at an outpatient physical therapy clinic for a spine-related musculoskeletal complaint, including Neck, Thoracic, and Low back pain With or without radicular symptoms
* Able to provide informed consent.
* Able to read, understand, and complete study questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

* Recent spinal surgery within the past 3 months, due to differing clinical pathways and management strategies.
* Presence of serious spinal pathology under active medical management, such as:

Malignancy (e.g., metastatic disease) Spinal infection Acute fracture

* Cognitive impairment or other conditions that limit the ability to provide informed consent or reliably complete study measures.
* Patients currently enrolled in another study that may influence clinical decision-making or outcomes related to spine care.

Where it's running

• Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt
  Asyut, Egypt Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Mariam A Ibrahim Principal investigator
• Email: Mariam.A.ibrahim@med.aun.edu.eg
• Phone: +20 10 01539399

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.