Comparison of15-Minute Home-Based Flexibility Exercises Derived by Artificial Intelligence and Produced by Humans on the Overall Flexibility, Back Health, and Muscle Stiffness Levels of Office Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Erzurum Technical University
- Enrollment
- 30
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Body flexibility
Study Overview
Brief Summary
While the benefits of flexibility exercises for office workers are well known, there is no randomized controlled comparison to determine whether these exercises can be delivered more effectively and safely by a specialist or by an automated artificial intelligence algorithm. Furthermore, considering the dynamic programming potential of artificial intelligence, determining whether this method can provide results similar to or superior to traditional methods is critical for the development of future healthcare models. The primary objective of this study is to compare the effects of 15-minute home-based flexibility exercises derived by artificial intelligence and produced by humans, administered over a 4-week period, on office workers' overall flexibility, back health, and muscle stiffness levels. This study is a two-armed, single-blind randomized controlled trial. Participants will be blinded to which group they are assigned to. This study will be respond "Are flexibility exercises generated by artificial intelligence more effective than human-generated flexibility exercises" question. During the study, participants who sign the volunteer information form and consent form and meet the inclusion criteria will be divided equally into two groups using a simple random method (coin toss):
- Group A: Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Based Flexibility Group.
- Group B: Human Expert-Based Flexibility Group. Intervention programs will include a standardized 15-minute flexibility exercise program will be automatically generated for each participant via Gemini, an AI-powered platform for group A, and a 15-minute program consisting of standardized flexibility exercises modified for each participant created by two qualified physiotherapists, based on calisthenic exercises (using body weight). This program will target the same muscle groups as the AI group's program and will be of similar duration. The exercise program will last a total of 4 weeks. Participants will exercise 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) for 15 minutes a day in their own environment.
Detailed Description
This study will be a randomized controlled trial. The hypothesis of the study;
- HO1: Flexibility exercises generated by artificial intelligence improve overall flexibility in office workers more than human-generated flexibility exercises.
- HO2: Flexibility exercises generated by artificial intelligence reduce back pain levels in office workers more than human-generated flexibility exercises.
- HO3: Flexibility exercises generated by artificial intelligence are more effective than human-generated flexibility exercises in relaxing muscle stiffness in office workers.
Office workers employed at Erzurum Technical University will be included in the study. The minimum number of participants required for the study was determined to be 21 people per group using the Gpower 3.1 (Düsseldorf, Germany) program, with a 0.05 margin of error, 95% confidence interval, and 1.03 effect size.
All participants' pre-test (baseline) and post-test measurements at the end of the 4-week intervention period will be collected under the same conditions and in the same environment. The exercises for both groups will be provided to them as a brochure after the first measurement session, and instructions on how to perform them will be given. The intervention period will last for 4 weeks. On exercise days-Monday, Wednesday, and Friday-participants will receive reminder messages via the designated online communication group to remind them to do their exercises. Participants will be asked to provide brief feedback confirming they have completed the exercises for compliance tracking.
The AI-generated flexibility exercises will consist of a 2-minute warm-up, 11 minutes of stretching and flexibility exercises (including static and dynamic stretches), and a 2-minute cool-down. Human-generated flexibility exercises will consist of a 2-minute warm-up modified from calisthenic exercises, 11 minutes of main flexibility exercises (squats, modified push-ups, planks, etc.), and a 2-minute cool-down.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 50 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Not have any known chronic orthopedic problems (active injuries requiring surgery or causing limited mobility).
- •Be able to walk distances of 150 meters or more without assistance.
- •Be an office worker who spends most of their working hours at a desk (at least 30 hours per week).
Exclusion Criteria
- •Having a condition that causes acute or chronic pain related to the musculoskeletal system.
- •Having undergone major surgery within the last 6 months.
- •Experiencing a health problem during participation that would cause any physical activity restrictions.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Body flexibility
Time Frame: The change from baseline sit and reach test score at week 4.
The sit-and-reach test will be used for evaluation. This test measures body flexibility and is performed on a specially developed sit-and-reach bench. Sit with both legs straight on the floor. One hand is placed on top of the other with the middle fingertips aligned. The soles of the feet are placed on the footrest of the measuring device. The subject is instructed to inhale and then, while exhaling, bend at the hips and reach forward, pushing the sliding ruler on the device. The back should be straight and the head up. Avoid jumping or rapid movements, and never stretch to the point of pain. Keep the knees straight and hold the reaching position for 2 seconds. Record the distance traveled by the sliding ruler in centimeters. Perform two trials. Record the longest distance. This is a valid and safe test.
Back health
Time Frame: The change from baseline Oswestry Disability Index score at week 4.
It will be assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index. This questionnaire, which assesses back health in 10 categories, is calculated out of a total of 50 points. A high score indicates a poor prognosis.
Muscle stiffness
Time Frame: The change from baseline MyotonPRO device score at week 4.
The MyotonPRO muscle characteristics assessment device will be used for evaluation. This device provides the ability to measure changes in muscle tone instantly and objectively. It has been developed to assess muscle tone, muscle stiffness, and muscle elasticity. It is a reliable measurement device for assessing back health. The assessment will be performed on the muscle groups most related to back health and flexibility limitations in office workers, namely the lumbar erector spinae (lower back), hamstrings (back of the thigh), and gastrocnemius medialis (calf).
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Mehmet Sönmez
Assistant Doctor
Erzurum Technical University