Role of Artificial Intelligence-Powered Conversational Agents (Chatbots) in Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Scoping Review Protocol

Abstract

ntroduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent a significant global health burden, leading to substantial disability and socioeconomic impact. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models-driven conversational agents (chatbots), there is potential to enhance the management of MSDs. However, the application of AI-powered chatbots in this population has not been comprehensively synthesized. Objective: To explore the current and potential use of AI-powered chatbots in the management of MSDs. The review will map out the targeted diseases, the purposes of chatbot interventions, the clinical tools or frameworks utilized in training these systems, and the evaluated outcomes in clinical settings. Methods: This scoping review will follow the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, with a comprehensive search across multiple databases including Medline (Ovid MEDLINE), Embase (Ovid), ISI Web of Science (wos; clarivate) and ClinicalTrials.gov. Studies involving adults with MSDs, regardless of publication status, language, or year, will be included. The scoping review will exclude studies using non-AI chatbots or human health coaches. Data extraction and synthesis will focus on demographic characteristics, chatbot methods, outcomes, and thematic analysis.