Americans need physical therapy: 51% of Americans have had physical therapy during their lives, and over 50 million Americans need physical therapy (PT) annually. 79% reported a “significant reduction in pain after treatment,” and 90% said it improved their quality of life. Over 300 million PT sessions occur annually in the U.S.

The demand for physical therapy will only surge as the Baby Boomer generation ages. In fact, physical therapy is expected to grow 18% by 2034. This increase is not surprising, since we have an aging population living longer and people are more active than previous generations. There are many causes for why people receive PT, including chronic conditions, accidents, overuse injuries, post-surgical recovery, chronic pain management, and neurological conditions.

Because of the tremendous need, the rehabilitation sector is turning to artificial intelligence (AI), which many believe will take physical therapy to a new level of successful results.

Although AI-assisted therapy is relatively new, initial research suggests it is working:

• A National Center for Biotechnology Information review “highlights the potential for digital health interventions to reduce the adverse effects of musculoskeletal diseases on individuals, society, and the economy, which are only expected to worsen as our population ages.”
• A Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation review cited a study that found robot-assisted gait therapy “can enhance lower extremity function, balance function, walking ability, and endurance levels compared to [conventional gait therapy]. However, the quality of evidence for improvements in gait speed remains low.”
• Another study showed that virtual reality (VR) can “increase motivation, allowing longer and more training sessions in community-dwelling stroke survivors.”
• Nature.com cited a study that found “AI-driven home-based VRehab … more effective than in-person rehabilitation and non-AI-driven home-based VRehab.”

Increased Operational Efficiencies and Cost Savings

In addition to improved patient care, AI-assisted therapy increases operational efficiencies by automating aspects of patient care, such as monitoring and personalized treatment plans, reducing overhead expenses. AI platforms also help to optimize resources, letting therapists concentrate on more serious cases while AI systems manage routine care.

The AI technology will also enable healthcare providers to expand services by reaching more patients in remote or underserved areas. Although AI will not eliminate the need for physical therapists, healthcare organizations may be able to treat more patients with fewer professionals. However, the need for highly trained therapists may rise.

For patients, artificial intelligence has the potential to provide better outcomes, increased accessibility, and more personalized treatment care. To better understand AI’s potential, let’s examine the limitations of traditional physical therapy.

Traditional Rehabilitation vs. AI-Assisted PT

Conventional physical therapy provides excellent relief to many patients.

Here is what happens when you currently need PT. You first visit your doctor or specialist, like an orthopedic surgeon, who gives you a prescription to receive PT, usually after an X-ray or MRI shows a problem. Sometimes, it takes time to get an appointment. Other times, finding the time or traveling to a session is difficult to do. At the first session, your physical therapist will evaluate you and determine the proper exercises for your treatment plan.

Adding advanced technologies into the mix brings a more sophisticated approach to physical rehabilitation. AI-assisted therapy uses sensors and wearable devices to provide real-time feedback, allowing the therapist to adjust the treatment plan immediately. AI-powered rehab enables the therapist to quickly adjust treatment plans based on more comprehensive data, reducing the risk of additional injuries.

Anyone who has gone to physical therapy knows that it can be painful and tedious. Although AI can keep the patient motivated through gamification and an immersive VR/AR experience, live physical therapists provide personal support to minimize the emotional pain of recovery. Will AI platforms be able to do that with Natural Language Processing virtual therapists? The best outcome for patients may be when AI and physical therapists work together.

Beyond enhancing motivation, AI algorithms are revolutionizing how PT is personalized.

Personalized Treatment Plans

AI algorithms can analyze patient medical histories, MRIs, diagnostic tests, assessments, and progress to develop customized treatment plans, which have the potential to maximize positive patient outcomes. Therapists can use AI tools to keep patients engaged and efficiently allocate resources.

AI-assisted physical therapy systems are already in use. These tools generate personalized exercise regimens and adapt therapy plans based on progress.

A robotic system assists patients with spinal cord injuries in “walking and weight-bearing exercises.” IBM’s Watson Health provides predictive analytics for post-surgical therapy to determine possible complications.

Another company uses augmented reality (AR) to help patients recovering from knee or hip replacement surgeries. Virtual physical therapists, accessed by smartphones or smart TVs, assist patients in their rehab exercises.

DigitalDefynd.com lists several AI tools used in physical therapy, including:

• Wearable devices that track vitals in real time
• Predictive analysis for injury prevention
• Movement pattern recognition platforms
• Voice-activated AI health coaches
• AI for psychological and cognitive recovery.

AI’s Current Applications in PT

VR and AR significantly impact physical therapy by creating an immersive and interactive environment where patients exercise. VR/AR makes PT more accessible to people who are not located near PT facilities. This technology can personalize the treatment plans based on the patient’s needs and ability, adjusting difficulty levels and giving them motivational support.

If you like virtual reality games, VR/AR physical therapy is a godsend. It will increase engagement and motivation, develop personalized and adaptive treatment plans based on data collected during sessions, and provide sensory feedback.

Some healthcare facilities also use VR for pain management. Harvard Health Publishing reports some studies show promise, although the author says it is “too soon to know if VR will become a standard part of chronic pain management.”

The biggest challenge to the widespread adoption of VR/AR physical therapy is the cost and the hardware needed. Patients may require technical expertise to set up the equipment at home, and some patients report motion sickness when using the headsets.

Machine Learning and deep learning can analyze vast amounts of data, enabling the AI platform to predict potential complications. If physical therapists can proactively adjust treatment plans to avoid problems, patients should have fewer setbacks, faster recovery times, and better outcomes.

AI-powered tools can predict falls, identify patients at risk of readmission, and forecast recovery timelines. These systems use radar imaging, sensors, and computer vision to analyze patients’ movements, gait, and posture. Other platforms analyze the patient’s socioeconomic, behavioral, and medical history to assess readmission risks.

AI-assisted rehabilitation dramatically benefits patients who cannot attend physical therapy appointments because they live in remote areas or have trouble finding the time. Remote rehabilitation is part of the telehealth sector, which can connect live or virtual physical therapists with patients. These platforms use wearable sensors that provide real-time data on their movements, range of motion, and other metrics. AI algorithms analyze this data to assess the patient’s condition and progress and identify areas for improvement. AR/VR devices provide patients with a lifelike environment that encourages and shows them how best to do their exercises.

AI algorithms are the brains behind exoskeleton systems, a wearable robotic framework that helps and supports the user’s limbs physically. These devices use motorized joints, sensors, and actuators to enhance movement.

The New Jersey Institute of Technology reported this year that AI-assisted exoskeletons have the potential to aid patients undergoing injury rehabilitation and permanently assist people with disabilities.

The uses of exoskeletons vary and include:

• Personalized rehabilitation
• Improved mobility
• Enhanced recovery
• Reduced therapist burden

AI-powered exoskeletons may be a boon for stroke patients, spinal cord injuries, gait training, and ongoing support for people with mobility limitations. Advanced technology powers robotic limbs and prosthetics, enabling more natural and intuitive movements.

Although there are commercial models available, primarily for rehab and assistive purposes, there are prohibitive challenges before the bionic man can leap tall buildings, such as high costs, power consumption, clinical validation, and regulatory approval.

Beyond Today’s Technology

While exoskeletons may create the bionic man and woman of the future, other AI innovations may also prove fruitful. These advancements include:

• Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs), which help decode brain signals and translate them into action, are already helping paralysis patients. The National Institute of Health reports: “Researchers developed a highly accurate brain-computer interface that allowed a man whose ability to speak was impaired by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to communicate.”

While BCIs may one day help paralyzed patients walk again, this technology Is still early in its development and widespread clinical use is still years away.

• AI-Driven Drug Discovery and Development: Pharmaceutical companies are using AI algorithms to accelerate the development of new drugs and therapies for rehabilitation, leading to more targeted and effective treatments. Pharmaceutical companies use AI algorithms to accelerate timelines, reduce costs, enhance innovation, and develop targeted therapies.

AI is transforming the landscape of physical therapy, offering new possibilities for patients seeking to regain function and improve their quality of life. While traditional PT produces positive results, helping people avoid or recover from surgery, AI-assisted therapies promise even more significant patient benefits. AI will also increase the operational efficiencies of the PT industry, enabling healthcare organizations to reach more people, perhaps with fewer therapists, which will increase revenue.  

By leveraging advanced technology, AI-assisted physical therapy will increase operational efficiencies and cut costs while providing a higher level of treatment. This tech will enable patients to achieve faster recovery times, maximize their functional potential, and ultimately lead more fulfilling lives.

Pravin Vazirani, assistant vice president at Chetu, an award-winning global software solutions and support services provider, has an extensive background in healthcare, digital transformation, and Robotic Process Automation (RPA). He brings more than two decades of progressive experience in the IT industry, where he leverages his expertise to deliver cutting-edge custom solutions, including an innovative approach to artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), blockchain, and DevOps. Pravin’s deep understanding of these technologies enables him to provide clients with tailored solutions that drive efficiency and innovation.