Using AI to Improve Clinical Reasoning in Physical Therapy Students
Feasibility of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Large Artificial Intelligence-Based Linguistic Models for Clinical Reasoning Training of Physical Therapy Students. A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study is testing if using an AI program to simulate patient scenarios can help third-year physical therapy students improve their clinical reasoning skills better than traditional case discussions.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Neuron, Spain Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Madrid, Madrid) |
| Trial ID | NCT06809634 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of a Large Language Model (LLM) intervention in enhancing clinical reasoning skills among third-year physical therapy students. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group, which engages with an AI-driven platform to simulate patient scenarios, or a control group that follows traditional case discussions. The intervention lasts for 8 weeks, allowing students to refine their diagnostic and treatment planning skills through interactive learning. The study aims to address the limitations of conventional training methods by providing a diverse range of clinical cases.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are third-year physiotherapy students aged 18 to 30 enrolled at La Salle Centre for Higher University Studies.
Not a fit: Students with prior clinical experience beyond their third year or those with physical or cognitive disabilities may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly enhance the clinical reasoning skills of physical therapy students, leading to better patient care.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of AI in education is gaining traction, this specific application of LLMs in physical therapy education is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Students enrolled in the third year of the Physiotherapy program at La Salle Centre for Higher University Studies (LCHUS) * Participants must be between 18 and 30 years old. * Students must agree to participate in the study by signing an informed consent form after being briefed about the study's objectives, procedures, and potential risks. * Participants must be willing to engage with the LLM-based platform (for the experimental group) or participate in traditional learning activities (for the control group) for the duration of the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Students with previous clinical experience beyond the third year of physiotherapy education. * Physical or cognitive disabilities that may interfere with the ability to participate in or benefit from the intervention (e.g., vision, hearing, or motor impairments). * Students who do not provide informed consent to participate in the study. * Students who do not possess sufficient proficiency in Spanish or English to understand the materials and the intervention.
Where this trial is running
Madrid, Madrid
- Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle — Madrid, Madrid, Spain (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Alfredo Lerín Calvo, Professor
- Email: alfredo.lerin@lasallecampus.es
- Phone: +34620187457
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.