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Volume 15
Issue 13
10.3390/jcm15134920
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Systematic Review

Artificial Intelligence-Based Physical Therapy Interventions for Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

by
Faizan Kashoo
1,
Shagun Agarwal
2,
Naif Ziyad Alrashdi
1,3,*,
Sultan Alanazi
1,
Msaad Alzhrani
1,
Ahmad Alanazi
1,
Jyoti Sharma
2,
Mohammad Sidiq
4,
Mehrunnisha Ahmed
5 and
Mohamed K. Seyam
1
1
Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
2
Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida 203201, Uttar Pradesh, India
3
Health and Basic Sciences Research Center, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
4
Physiotherapy Department, Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq
5
College of Nursing, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(13), 4920; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15134920 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 24 May 2026 / Revised: 17 June 2026 / Accepted: 18 June 2026 / Published: 24 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Low Back Pain)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly being integrated into healthcare interventions for NSLBP, yet their effectiveness remains uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of AI-based Physical therapy (PT) interventions on pain intensity and disability outcomes in patients with NSLBP. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search across six electronic databases. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating AI-based interventions for NSLBP were only included. Mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics and Cochran’s Q test. Results: Five RCTs (n = 1939) met the inclusion criteria for systematic review. Three RCTs (n = 594 participants) provided data for meta-analysis. AI-based interventions significantly reduced pain (pooled MD −0.721, 95% CI −1.047 to −0.395; z = −4.34, p < 0.001; I2 = 9.5%). Disability also significantly improved (pooled MD −1.031, 95% CI −2.020 to −0.042; t(2) = −4.48, p = 0.046; I2 = 0%). Neither effect reached the minimal clinically important difference (1.0 for pain, 2–4 for disability). No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: AI-based PT interventions produce statistically significant but clinically small improvements in pain and disability for NSLBP. Certainty of evidence is low due to risk of bias and imprecision. Larger, blinded RCTs with standardised outcomes are needed.
Keywords: computational intelligence; machine learning; disability; digital health; RMDQ; ODI; eHealth; evidence synthesis; pooled analysis computational intelligence; machine learning; disability; digital health; RMDQ; ODI; eHealth; evidence synthesis; pooled analysis

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MDPI and ACS Style

Kashoo, F.; Agarwal, S.; Alrashdi, N.Z.; Alanazi, S.; Alzhrani, M.; Alanazi, A.; Sharma, J.; Sidiq, M.; Ahmed, M.; Seyam, M.K. Artificial Intelligence-Based Physical Therapy Interventions for Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15, 4920. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15134920

AMA Style

Kashoo F, Agarwal S, Alrashdi NZ, Alanazi S, Alzhrani M, Alanazi A, Sharma J, Sidiq M, Ahmed M, Seyam MK. Artificial Intelligence-Based Physical Therapy Interventions for Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2026; 15(13):4920. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15134920

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kashoo, Faizan, Shagun Agarwal, Naif Ziyad Alrashdi, Sultan Alanazi, Msaad Alzhrani, Ahmad Alanazi, Jyoti Sharma, Mohammad Sidiq, Mehrunnisha Ahmed, and Mohamed K. Seyam. 2026. "Artificial Intelligence-Based Physical Therapy Interventions for Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials" Journal of Clinical Medicine 15, no. 13: 4920. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15134920

APA Style

Kashoo, F., Agarwal, S., Alrashdi, N. Z., Alanazi, S., Alzhrani, M., Alanazi, A., Sharma, J., Sidiq, M., Ahmed, M., & Seyam, M. K. (2026). Artificial Intelligence-Based Physical Therapy Interventions for Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 15(13), 4920. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15134920

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