Rehabilitation Process Research Articles

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality in Occupational Therapy for Post-Stroke Adults: A Systematic Review.

Background: In recent years, there has been a growing use of technological advancements to enhance the rehabilitation of individuals who have suffered from cerebrovascular accidents. Virtual reality rehabilitation programs enable patients to engage in a customized therapy program while interacting with a computer-generated environment. Therefore, our goal was to investigate the effectiveness of virtual reality in occupational therapy for people's rehabilitation after a cerebrovascular accident. Methods: We systematically searched databases (Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct) for randomized controlled trials published within the last 10 years. Studies involving adult stroke survivors undergoing virtual reality-based interventions aimed at improving upper-extremity motor function were included. The quality assessment followed PRISMA guidelines, with the risk of bias assessed using the Cochrane tool (version 6.4) and methodological quality evaluated using GRADEpro. Results: We selected sixteen studies that met the main criteria for the implementation of virtual reality technology. The interventions described in the articles focused mainly on the upper extremities and their fine motor skills. Conclusions: When used in conventional treatments to improve people's motor and cognitive functions after a cerebrovascular accident, virtual reality emerges as a beneficial tool. Additionally, virtual reality encourages adherence to the interventional process of rehabilitation through occupational therapy.

A Methodology to Manage and Correlate Results of Non-Destructive and Destructive Tests on Ancient Timber Beams: The Case of Montorio Tower

Intending to safeguard architectural heritage, the assessment of the health of timber structures is crucial, though challenging, due to the organic nature of wood and to the uncertainties of its preservation state. To this end, useful support is provided by the ICOMOS guidelines, which provide conservation strategies based on thorough diagnosis and safety evaluations. In this context, the study summarized in this paper focuses on the medieval Tower of Montorio, which suffered considerable damage due to the strong earthquake that occurred in those area in September 2003. Its subsequent process of rehabilitation and restoration involved a widespread experimental campaign and the substitution of some timber beams. This circumstance has offered a rare opportunity to study these ancient elements in detail, although they are limited in number. Six beams made of oak and removed from an intermediate floor of the tower were evaluated through a comprehensive approach that included both non-destructive tests (NDT) and destructive tests (DT). Particularly, they were subjected to visual inspections, ultrasonic, sclerometric, and resistographic methods, and destructive four-point bending tests. Overall, the study presented here provides a useful qualitative comparison between them. Results highlighted that relying only on NDT might lead to an overestimation of mechanical properties and that combining NDT with DT is crucial for a more accurate assessment. Therefore, the need to deepen the research on correlations between NDT and DT to obtain reliable values of mechanical properties while respecting the conservation aim was confirmed.

Using Immersive Environments in E-Mental Health Rehabilitation Programs Directed to Future Health Professionals to Promote Empathy and Health Literacy about Schizophrenia.

Rehabilitation involves all types of patients, including people with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is considered a complex syndrome characterized in general by fundamental and characteristic distortions of thinking and perception. The quality of life of a person with schizophrenia can be compromised by difficulty in carrying out their daily tasks and by the social stigma of their condition. The importance of training and sensitizing students in rehabilitation areas to this type of problem to improve the rehabilitation processes in which they will participate as future professionals involves empathy and the ability to communicate with these populations. It is possible through virtual reality to create immersive environments to simulate some psychotic symptoms characteristic of people with schizophrenia, such as visual hallucinations and hearing voices. The aim of this study was to test the effect of exposure to experiences characteristic of schizophrenia through two different types of immersive environments, graphical computational virtual reality and 360° video, on students from areas of social rehabilitation regarding empathy, social distance, and attitudes towards people with schizophrenia. Although the results were positive for the three parameters under study, no significant differences were found for each of them between the environments to which the participants were exposed. This study concluded that the choice between the two types of immersive environments should be based on the project's objectives, the target audience's needs, and available resources, rather than the type of environment itself, as their impact was similar.

Effects of the Regular Use of Virtual Environments on Spatial Navigation and Memory.

Introduction: The cognitive effects of video games have garnered increasing attention due to their potential applications in cognitive rehabilitation and evaluation. However, the underlying mechanisms driving these cognitive modifications remain poorly understood. Objectives: This study investigates the fundamental mnemonic processes of spatial navigation, pattern separation, and recognition memory, closely associated with the hippocampus. Our objective is to elucidate the interaction of these cognitive processes and shed light on rehabilitation mechanisms that could inform the design of video games aimed at stimulating the hippocampus. Method: In this study, we assessed 48 young adults, including both video game players and non-players. We utilized virtual reality and cognitive tasks such as the Lobato Virtual Water Maze and the Mnemonic Similarity Task to evaluate their cognitive abilities. Results: Our key findings highlight that gamers exhibit heightened pattern separation abilities and demonstrate quicker and more accurate spatial learning, attributed to the cognitive stimulation induced by video games. Additionally, we uncovered a significant relationship between spatial memory, guided by environmental cues, and pattern separation, which serves as the foundation for more efficient spatial navigation. Conclusions: These results provide valuable insights into the cognitive impact of video games and offer potential for monitoring changes in rehabilitation processes and early signs of cognitive decline through virtual reality-based assessments. Ultimately, we propose that examining the relationships between cognitive processes represents an effective method for evaluating neurodegenerative conditions, offering new possibilities for early diagnosis and intervention.

Changing Knowledge, Principles, and Technology in Contemporary Clinical Audiological Practice: A Narrative Review.

The field of audiology as a collection of auditory science knowledge, research, and clinical methods, technologies, and practices has seen great changes. A deeper understanding of psychological, cognitive, and behavioural interactions has led to a growing range of variables of interest to measure and track in diagnostic and rehabilitative processes. Technology-led changes to clinical practices, including teleaudiology, have heralded a call to action in order to recognise the role and impact of autonomy and agency on clinical practice, engagement, and outcomes. Advances in and new information on loudness models, tinnitus, psychoacoustics, deep neural networks, machine learning, predictive and adaptive algorithms, and PREMs/PROMs have enabled innovations in technology to revolutionise clinical principles and practices for the following: (i) assessment, (ii) fitting and programming of hearing devices, and (iii) rehabilitation. This narrative review will consider how the rise of teleaudiology as a growing and increasingly fundamental element of contemporary adult audiological practice has affected the principles and practices of audiology based on a new era of knowledge and capability. What areas of knowledge have grown? How has new knowledge shifted the priorities in clinical audiology? What technological innovations have been combined with these to change clinical practices? Above all, where is hearing loss now consequently positioned in its journey as a field of health and medicine?

Spent Coffee Grounds-Based Thermoplaster System to Improve Heritage Building Energy Efficiency: A Case Study in Madonie Park in Sicily

This study reports on the application of an innovative plastering system that reuses organic waste, namely spent coffee grounds (SCG), to improve energy efficiency in historical buildings according to the European Green Deal. The case study was conducted in the village of Polizzi Generosa, selected from 21 small villages located in the extensive UNESCO Geopark of Madonie Park in Sicily. Over time, traditional plasters used in Madonie buildings have shown durability issues due to thermal and hygrometric stresses caused by significant temperature fluctuations in the area. Moreover, much of the considered architectural heritage lacks energy efficiency. Given the global increase in coffee production and the need for more sustainable waste management systems, this investigation proposes an ecological method to reuse SCG in plaster formulation, thereby enhancing the circular economy. To achieve this, many thermoplaster formulations were developed, and the best-performing one, considering both material and aesthetic compatibility with historical buildings, was selected for a real-world application. Additionally, virtual modeling and energy simulations were conducted to test the energy performance of a traditional building in Polizzi Generosa using SCG-based thermoplaster in comparison to traditional lime mortar and commercial alternatives. The real-world application demonstrated the technical feasibility of the process, and the energy simulations showed an improved building masonry energy performance of 0.788 W/m2K and an 11% improvement compared to traditional plaster. Results clearly indicate that SCG can be successfully reused to produce eco-friendly bio composite plasters, providing a more sustainable housing option. This approach offers a durable and cost-effective alternative for housing solutions that meet regulatory requirements for energy efficiency, serving as a smart, highly sustainable, and long-lasting choice for the construction sector. Finally, this result supports the research goal of transforming the 21 municipalities of Madonie into smart and green villages, with the “Smart Coffee-House” exemplifying intelligent rehabilitation processes of existing heritage buildings.

Coping Strategies in Patients with Acquired Brain Injury: A Scoping Review.

In recent years, there has been marked interest in looking at the psychological consequences of medical conditions, such as traumatic or acquired brain injuries. Coping strategies are essential for clinical recovery and for dealing with the stressful events that a clinical condition brings with it. The purpose of this review is to analyze studies that explore how coping strategies influence psychological changes in patients with acquired brain injury. Studies were identified from research in the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases. According to our findings, patients with ABI utilize different coping strategies based on the circumstances and factors such as the diagnosis severity, their age, time lived with the pathology, and personal characteristics, which have an influence on quality of life and rehabilitation. This review demonstrated that coping strategies have an impact on different aspects of the clinical and personal lives of patients with ABI. The rehabilitation process must consider the influence of these mechanisms on dealing with situations, as they can change cognitive and emotional perceptions of patients' experience with the disease, as well as laying the foundations for functional or dysfunction in terms of the propensity of a person for the path of psychological and physical recovery.

Locked-in syndrome: A qualitative study of a life story.

Locked-in syndrome (LIS) is characterized by tetraplegia, anarthria, paralysis of cranial nerves, and facial musculature, with the preservation of consciousness and cognitive abilities, as well as vertical eye movements and eyelid movements, hearing, and breathing. Three types of LIS are distinguished: classic, incomplete, and total. The aim of the present study was to describe the life history of a person with LIS, as well as the wife's experience and perspective of this life history. A qualitative life history study was conducted with two participants: a 54-year-old man diagnosed with LIS and his 50-year-old wife. Data were collected through interviews and autobiographical documents submitted by the participants and analyzed following Braun and Clarke's method of inductive thematic analysis. Five main themes were identified: (1) how to understand and overcome the new situation; (2) the process of care and rehabilitation; (3) communication; (4) writing as a way of helping oneself and others; and (5) personal autonomy and social participation. The participants valued the support of their friends and family in the acceptance stage of the new situation, giving special importance to the communication skills and medical attention received after diagnosis.

Synthesize Personalized Training for Robot-Assisted Upper Limb Rehabilitation With Diversity Enhancement.

For upper limb rehabilitation, the robot-assisted technique in combination with serious games requires well-specified training plans. For the best quality of the rehabilitation process, customized game levels for each user are desired, while it is labor-intensive to design and adjust game levels for different individuals. We work on generating training content for a desktop end-effector rehabilitation robot and propose a method to automatically generate individualized training plans. By modeling the search of the training motions as finding optimal hand paths and trajectories, we introduce solving the design problem with a multi-objective optimization (MO) solver. We further improve the MO solver to enhance the diversity of the solutions. With the proposed approach, our system is capable of automatically generating various training plans considering the training intensity and dexterity of each joint in the upper limb. In addition, the enhanced diversity avoids repeated training plans, which helps motivate the user in the rehabilitation. We test our method with different requirements on the training plans and validate the solutions.

Rehabilitation after musculoskeletal injury: Israeli and South African perspectives.

Rehabilitation for patients sustaining isolated and multiple musculoskeletal injuries due to trauma remains a mainstay of recovery. There are a wide variety of systems in place to manage the rehabilitation process. This article describes the post-traumatic rehabilitation procedures from 2 member countries of the International Orthopaedic Trauma Association, Israel and South Africa. The systems are reflective of the clear differences between these 2 countries with vastly different economic strata and health care systems. In Israel, the rehabilitation programs and resources are most likely the result of the mature social support systems and the trauma experience. In South Africa, the programs are reflective of a two-tier health care system, with patients exposed to varying levels of rehabilitation resources.

Therapeutic Garden Design at Marzoeki Mahdi Hospital

Abstract Mental disorders is characterized by clinically significant disturbance in a person’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior. Dr. H. Marzoeki Mahdi Hospital (RSMM) is one of the mental hospitals that provides psychosocial rehabilitation services. Psychosocial rehabilitation consists of various activities to hone the patient’s ability so that they live independently. One of the activities is vocational and occupational therapy. The hospital garden is a necessity in the patient rehabilitation process so it needs to be designed to make it can be utilized optimally. The research objectives are to identify and analyze activities, user needs, potentials and constraints on the site; determine the design concept and create a therapeutic garden design for psychosocial rehabilitation at Marzoeki Mahdi Hospital. This research uses a descriptive method with stages such as preparation, research and analysis, concept and design. Data was collected through surveys, interviews, questionnaires and literature studies. The proposed design is a therapeutic garden to support psychosocial rehabilitation. The design concept applies one of patients rehabilitaion activities, namely socializing, which is depicted in a circular pattern and rehabilitation activities carried out repeatedly are depicted in a repetitive pattern. In addition, a symmetrical pattern is also applied which illustrates organized life and firmness. Based on this pattern, spaces are designed to support rehabilitation activities, namely the welcome area, active therapy area, passive therapy area and parking area.

EEG-Based Motor Imagery Recognition Framework via Multisubject Dynamic Transfer and Iterative Self-Training.

A robust decoding model that can efficiently deal with the subject and period variation is urgently needed to apply the brain-computer interface (BCI) system. The performance of most electroencephalogram (EEG) decoding models depends on the characteristics of specific subjects and periods, which require calibration and training with annotated data prior to application. However, this situation will become unacceptable as it would be difficult for subjects to collect data for an extended period, especially in the rehabilitation process of disability based on motor imagery (MI). To address this issue, we propose an unsupervised domain adaptation framework called iterative self-training multisubject domain adaptation (ISMDA) that focuses on the offline MI task. First, the feature extractor is purposefully designed to map the EEG to a latent space of discriminative representations. Second, the attention module based on dynamic transfer matches the source domain and target domain samples with a higher coincidence degree in latent space. Then, an independent classifier oriented to the target domain is employed in the first stage of the iterative training process to cluster the samples of the target domain through similarity. Finally, a pseudolabel algorithm based on certainty and confidence is employed in the second stage of the iterative training process to adequately calibrate the error between prediction and empirical probabilities. To evaluate the effectiveness of the model, extensive testing has been performed on three publicly available MI datasets, the BCI IV IIa, the High gamma dataset, and Kwon et al. datasets. The proposed method achieved 69.51%, 82.38%, and 90.98% cross-subject classification accuracy on the three datasets, which outperforms the current state-of-the-art offline algorithms. Meanwhile, all results demonstrated that the proposed method could address the main challenges of the offline MI paradigm.

Effects of Video-Based Exercises and Conventional Physiotherapy on Upper Extremity Functionality, Selective Motor Control, and Proprioception in Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of video-based exercises added to conventional physiotherapy (CPT) on upper extremity functionality, selective motor control, and proprioception in individuals with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP). Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with UCP were randomized into two groups: the intervention group (15 individuals with a mean age of 9.2 ± 3.8 years) and the control group (15 individuals with a mean age of 8.3 ± 4.1 years). The intervention group received 8 weeks of video-based exercises, and the control group received 8 weeks of conventional physiotherapy. Upper extremity functional abilities, upper extremity selective motor control, proprioception, and entertainment levels were evaluated before and after the intervention for all groups. Results: While a significant change was observed in the mean scores of the ABILHAND-Kids, Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale right-left scores, shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction, and elbow flexion proprioception angles after the video-based exercises in the intervention group (P < 0.05), a significant change was observed only in the 60-degree flexion angle in the control group (P = 0.001). In the comparison between the groups, there were significant differences in post-intervention value only in shoulder flexion and abduction angles, whereas there was no difference between the groups in elbow flexion angles (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Incorporating video-based exercises into the upper extremity rehabilitation processes of individuals with UCP is beneficial in terms of upper extremity functionality, selective motor control, and proprioception.

Проблема привлечения несовершеннолетних к восстановлению народного хозяйства СССР в первые послевоенные годы (на материалах Донбасса)

The purpose of the study is a comprehensive analysis of the problem of attracting minors to the restoration of the national economy of the USSR in the first post–war years (based on the material of the Ukrainian SSR). The article examines the main forms and methods of involving children and adolescents in the rehabilitation process, analyzes the material, household and regulatory support for the work of young workers. The scientific novelty of the study consists in the fact that for the first time, based on the material of the Ukrainian SSR, a complex of historical sources and scientific literature is analyzed and systematized in order to highlight the problem of attracting minors to the restoration of the national economy of the USSR in the first post-war years. As a result of the study, it was found that the large losses of the population following the Great Patriotic War and the need to implement state plans led to such a policy of the Soviet leadership, which was aimed at increasing the quantitative indicators of the attracted workforce, designed to restore the industrial potential of the state. Therefore, minors have become one of the most important labor reserves in the process of restoring the national economy. This program was implemented in two directions: in educational institutions of labor reserves and short-term training of underage workers directly at work. Despite the clear regulatory and legal regulation of the issue of attracting minors to work, this process often occurred with significant violations.

A home-based tele-rehabilitation exercise system for patients after knee replacement surgery

BackgroundKnee arthritis is a destructive disorder that affects the knee joints and causes pain and reduced mobility. Drug treatments, weight loss, and exercise control the symptoms of the disease, but these methods only delay the disease process and eventually, knee joint replacement surgery will be needed. After surgery, with the help of a proper physiotherapy program, full recovery takes an average of 6–12 months. However, currently, there is no similar tool to facilitate this process in Iran.ObjectiveThe purpose of this research is to design and develop the prototype of a rehabilitation system for patients after knee replacement surgery, which provides patients with information and appropriate physiotherapy programs.MethodsThis study was development-applied and was done in three stages. In the first stage, the needs and content of education and therapeutic exercises were prepared in the form of a checklist, and then the necessity of each item was checked in the evaluation sessions. In the second stage, the prototype of the system was developed using Adobe XD software and based on the requirements approved from the previous stage. In the third stage, the usability of the program was analyzed from the point of view of experts using the exploratory evaluation method with Nielsen’s 13 principles of usability.ResultsAt first, the system requirements were extracted and prepared in two checklists of content (51 exercises) and capabilities (60 items). Then after a survey of experts based on the Delphi technique, content information (43 exercises) and functional and non-functional requirements (53 items) were obtained. A survey of experts helped to finalize the information elements, categorize them, and prepare the final version of the checklists. Based on this, the system requirements were classified into 11 categories, and the training content was classified into 3 training periods. Finally, the design and development of the system was done. This system has admin, physician, and patient user interfaces. The result of usability showed that this system is efficient and there are only a few problems in the feature of helping users to detect and recover from errors.ConclusionIt seems necessary to develop a system based on the principles of usability by therapists and rehabilitation specialists to train and monitor the remote rehabilitation process of patients after knee joint replacement at home. And the importance of involving stakeholders in the design and development of remote rehabilitation systems is not hidden from anyone. Kara system has all of the above.

Home-based telerehabilitation in multiple sclerosis: a scoping review

BackgroundIntroducing home-based telerehabilitation (TR) approaches helps clinical experts to choose appropriate and effective interventions and researchers identify knowledge gaps to design clinical trial studies and systematic reviews.PurposeThis study aimed to...

Personalized rehabilitation approach for reaching movement using reinforcement learning

Musculoskeletal disorders challenge significantly the performance of many daily life activities, thus impacting the quality of life. The efficiency of the traditional physical therapy programs is limited by ecological parameters such as intervention duration and frequency, number of caregivers, geographic accessibility, as well as by subjective factors such as patient’s motivation and perseverance in training. The implementation of VR rehabilitation systems may address these limitations, but the technology still needs to be improved and clinically validated. Furthermore, current applications generally lack flexibility and personalization. A VR rehabilitation game simulation is developed, which focuses on the upper-limb movement of reaching, an essential movement involved in numerous daily life activities. Its novelty consists in the integration of a machine learning algorithm, enabling highly adaptive and patient-customized therapeutic intervention. An immersive VR system for the rehabilitation of reaching movement using a bubble popping game is proposed. In the virtual space, the patient is presented with bubbles appearing at different locations and is asked to reach the bubble with the injured limb and pop it. The implementation of a Q-learning algorithm enables the game to adjust the location of the next bubble according to the performance of the patient, represented by his kinematic characteristics. Two test cases simulate the performance of the patient during a training program of 10 days/sessions, in order to validate the effectiveness of the algorithm, demonstrated by the spatial and temporal distribution of the bubbles in each evolving scenario. The results show that the algorithm learns the patient’s capabilities and successfully adapts to them, following the reward policy dictated by the therapist; moreover, the algorithm is highly responsive to kinematic features’ variation, while demanding a reasonable number of iterations. A novel approach for upper limb rehabilitation is presented, making use of immersive VR and reinforcement learning. The simulation suggests that the algorithm offers adaptive capabilities and high flexibility, needed in the comprehensive personalization of a rehabilitation process. Future work will demonstrate the concept in clinical trials.

Functional assessment and influencing factors after staged functional training in patients with ankle fractures.

The recovery of limb function after ankle fracture surgery is a gradual process. The main purpose of implementing early functional exercise, joint mobility, muscle contraction function, passive ankle flexion and extension exercises, or physical factor therapy techniques is to achieve the rapid recovery of normal physiological limb function. However, currently the most effective rehabilitation training method is staged limb functional exercise, which promotes rapid recovery of limb function while preventing adverse consequences caused by overwork or insufficient training. Staged limb functional exercise divides the rehabilitation process into multiple stages, each of which has specific training objectives and contents. This method helps patients gradually restore limb function. Nevertheless, some patients still exhibit poor limb function after standardized exercise. Therefore, a functional evaluation should be performed to analyze the impact of staged functional training after ankle fracture surgery. To perform a functional evaluation and determine the influencing factors of staged functional training in patients with ankle fracture. A retrospective study enrolled 150 patients who underwent surgical treatment for ankle fracture from May 2020 to May 2022 at our hospital. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed on general data, functional exercise compliance scale for orthopedic patients, Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score, and pain factors [serum bradykinin (BK), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)]. Based on the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, the cases were divided into the excellent function (n = 111) and ordinary function (n = 39) groups. Univariate analysis revealed that monthly family income, education level, diabetes mellitus, functional exercise compliance scale of orthopedic patients score, SSRS, BK, PGE2, and 5-HT significantly influenced limb function after ankle fracture (P < 0.05); Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the functional exercise compliance scale score, SSRS, BK, PGE2, and 5-HT were independent risk factors affecting functional performance after staged functional exercise (P < 0.05). Exercise compliance, SSRS, and pain level are the independent risk factors affecting functional performance after staged functional training following ankle surgery. Clinical nursing care after ankle surgery should include analgesic and health education measures to ensure optimal recovery of limb function.

A Wearable Personalised Sonification and Biofeedback Device to Enhance Movement Awareness.

Movement sonification has emerged as a promising approach for rehabilitation and motion control. Despite significant advancements in sensor technologies, challenges remain in developing cost-effective, user-friendly, and reliable systems for gait detection and sonification. This study introduces a novel wearable personalised sonification and biofeedback device to enhance movement awareness for individuals with irregular gait and posture. Through the integration of inertial measurement units (IMUs), MATLAB, and sophisticated audio feedback mechanisms, the device offers real-time, intuitive cues to facilitate gait correction and improve functional mobility. Utilising a single wearable sensor attached to the L4 vertebrae, the system captures kinematic parameters to generate auditory feedback through discrete and continuous tones corresponding to heel strike events and sagittal plane rotations. A preliminary test that involved 20 participants under various audio feedback conditions was conducted to assess the system's accuracy, reliability, and user synchronisation. The results indicate a promising improvement in movement awareness facilitated by auditory cues. This suggests a potential for enhancing gait and balance, particularly beneficial for individuals with compromised gait or those undergoing a rehabilitation process. This paper details the development process, experimental setup, and initial findings, discussing the integration challenges and future research directions. It also presents a novel approach to providing real-time feedback to participants about their balance, potentially enabling them to make immediate adjustments to their posture and movement. Future research should evaluate this method in varied real-world settings and populations, including the elderly and individuals with Parkinson's disease.

The Effectiveness of a Single Hyaluronic Acid Injection in Improving Symptoms and Muscular Strength in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Multicenter, Retrospective Study.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a progressive and multifactorial disease that leads to joint pain, muscle weakness, physical disability, and decreased quality of life. In KOA, the quantity of hyaluronic acid (HA) and the molecular weight (MW) are decreased, leading to joint pain due to increased wear of the knee articular cartilage. Arthrogenic muscle inhibition, which is usually found in patients with KOA, is associated with joint inflammation, pain, and swelling, also causing muscle atrophy, primarily of the anterior thigh muscles, and hindering the rehabilitation process. The aim of our work was to determine if a single HA infiltration could minimize the effects of arthrogenic muscle inhibition in patients with KOA in the short term, using isokinetic dynamometry to evaluate the strength of the knee extensor and flexor muscles of the thigh. Thirty patients with KOA who underwent both clinical and isokinetic assessment, and that received a single injection of HA, were retrospectively included. Our results showed that a single intra-articular injection of HA significantly reduces pain and improves joint function at four weeks, while non-statistically significant improvements were observed for the reference isokinetic parameter (maximum torque) at both 90°/s and 180°/s. Further high-quality studies are necessary to confirm the results of our study.