Pain during labour is one of the most intense pain that women may experience in their lifetime. There are several non-pharmacological analgesic methods to relieve pain during labour, among them transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). TENS is a low-frequency electrotherapy technique, analgesic type, generally used in musculoskeletal pathology, but it has also come to be used as an alternative treatment during labour. The purpose of this study is to investigate the pain-relieving effect of a TENS application during labour and to find out the most effective dose. This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. TENS therapy was initiated at the beginning of the active phase of labour. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups (21 per group: two active TENS and one placebo). Active TENS 1 intervention consisted in a constant frequency of 100-Hz, 100-μs, active TENS 2 intervention consisted in a varying high-frequency (80–100 Hz), 350 μs, and in a placebo group, participants were connected to the TENS unit without electrical stimulation. TENS was applied with two self-adhesive electrodes placed parallel to the spinal cord (T10–L1 and S2–S4 levels). The primary outcome was pain intensity (0–10 cm) measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) at several stages (at baseline and at 10 and 30 min later). Secondary outcomes included women’s satisfaction (via the Care in Obstetrics: Measure for Testing Satisfaction scale). Sixty-three women participated. Regarding baseline characteristics, no differences were found among the three groups. The active TENS 2 group obtained an improvement with clinically significant VAS results (− 2.9, 95% confidence interval – 4.1 to − 1.6, p < 0.001). Regarding satisfaction, the results also revealed better results in the active TENS than in the placebo group. TENS with high frequencies modified in time as well as high pulse width are effective for relieving labour pain, and they are well considered by pregnant participants. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03137251 . Registered on 2 May 2017.

Dementia is a progressive decline in cognitive functions caused by an alteration in the pattern of neural network connections. There is an inability to create new neuronal connections, producing behavioral disorders. The most evident alteration in patients with neurodegenerative diseases is the alteration of sleep–wake behavior. The aim of this study was to test the effect of two non-pharmacological interventions, therapeutic exercise (TE) and non-invasive neuromodulation through the NESA device (NN) on sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and cognitive function of 30 patients diagnosed with dementia (non-invasive neuromodulation experimental group (NNG): mean ± SD, age: 71.6 ± 7.43 years; therapeutic exercise experimental group (TEG) 75.2 ± 8.63 years; control group (CG) 80.9 ± 4.53 years). The variables were evaluated by means of the Pittsburg Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the Mini-Cognitive Exam Test at four different times during the study: at baseline, after 2 months (after completion of the NNG), after 5 months (after completion of the TEG), and after 7 months (after 2 months of follow-up). Participants in the NNG and TEG presented significant improvements with respect to the CG, and in addition, the NNG generated greater relevant changes in the three variables with respect to the TEG (sleep quality (p = 0.972), daytime sleepiness (p = 0.026), and cognitive function (p = 0.127)). In conclusion, with greater effects in the NNG, both treatments were effective to improve daytime sleepiness, sleep quality, and cognitive function in the dementia population.

Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of pain relief with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) dispositive during labor in breech vaginal delivery and also to describe its tolerance and satisfaction. Design: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Setting: Labor room of Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular-Materno Infantil (Spain). Participants: Ten women who met inclusion criteria of the clinical trial and also had a fetus breech presentation were randomly assigned to three groups. Interventions: A portable Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation (TENS), Cefar rehab 2pro®, unit was used to apply the experimental intervention, with different doses in the three groups in women during labor. The device intensity (amplitude) was individually adjusted to each participant’s maximum sensory level. Pain was evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). COMFORTS scale was used to measure women’s satisfaction. Results: A significant association of VAS was detected depending on the type of TENS over time. Active TENS2 was the only group that obtained an improvement with clinically significant results. In connection with women satisfaction, active TENS2 group was also the group that presented higher values. Conclusions: We can recommend the use of TENS dispositive to relieve pain during labor, also in those women with breech presentation.

Background: Children with neurodevelopmental disorders have a very wide clinical variability. A common prevalent factor is problems with stool and sleep quality. Currently, there are multiple studies related to their evaluation, but not so much related to a specific intervention. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the application of non-invasive neuromodulation as a treatment in children with neurodevelopmental disorders to improve constipation and quality of sleep. Methods: A total of 23 minors aged between 2 and 16 were included in this cross-sectional study. All participants were applied the microcurrent device for 60 min, 3 times per week for a total of 4 weeks. The technique was based on non-invasive neuromodulation using a surface-applied microcurrent electrostimulation device that administers an external, imperceptible, pulsed electrical stimulation. It is applied to the extremities, in a coordinated manner, using gloves and anklets connected with electrodes to a control console. Sleep latency and microarousals were evaluated through a sleep diary. To assess the evolution and type of defecation, the adapted and validated version in Spanish of the Bristol Stool Form Scale was used. Results: No adverse events occurred during the study and no incidences were registered. Clinically relevant improvements were registered in defecation frequency and type as well as in sleep related parameters. An increase in the hours of sleep was registered, from 7,35 (0,83) to 9,09 (1,35), and sleep interruptions decreased from 3,83 (1,95) to 1,17 (1,11), (p < .001). Conclusion: Microcurrents can be used as an effective and safe treatment to improve quality of sleep and constipation in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. More studies are needed in order to obtain statistically significant results. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05265702. First registration: 03/03/2022 Protocol: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05265702?term=baez+suarez&draw=2&rank=4

Introduction: Telerehabilitation is a tool for patients who, for different reasons, cannot participate in person with their physical presence. We aimed to identify the factors associated with satisfaction with telerehabilitation in families with children with neurodevelopmental disorders through a program that included physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Methods: The program was developed during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Outcome measures: Child's age, the school stage to which they belonged, the person of reference in their daily care at home. The resources provided to the families, as well as the frequency of activities and difficulties detected, were evaluated through a survey. Findings: One hundred thirteen families responded to the survey. The general assessment resources were classified as very good. The average frequency of carrying out the activities was two times a week, with an average of 30 minutes per session. The ability to understand the information in the manual was not affected by the academic status of the caregivers ( p = 0.286). Conclusions: This is the first study to quantify the multidisciplinary approach to children with neurodevelopmental disorders using telerehabilitation. The results show high levels of participation and satisfaction. The resources could be shared for their applicability in other countries whose families have similar needs conditioned by COVID-19.

The competitive calendars in sports often lead to fluctuations in the effort-recovery cycle and sleep quality. NESA noninvasive neuromodulation, achieved through microcurrent modulation of the autonomic nervous system, holds promise for enhancing sleep quality and autonomic activation during stressful situations. The objective of this study was to analyze the sleep and recovery responses of basketball players over six weeks of training and competition, with the integration of NESA noninvasive neuromodulation. A preliminary experimental study involving 12 participants was conducted, with a placebo group (n = 6) and an intervention group (n = 6) treated with NESA noninvasive neuromodulation. Sleep variables and biomarkers such as testosterone, cortisol, and the cortisol:testosterone ratio were analyzed to assess player recovery and adaptations. Significant differences were observed in total, duration, and REM sleep variables (p-value= < 0.001; 0.007; <0.001, respectively) between the intervention and placebo groups. The intervention group demonstrated increased duration of sleep variables. Cortisol levels showed normalization in the experimental group, particularly in the last two weeks coinciding with the start of playoffs. This study highlights the potential of NESA noninvasive neuromodulation to enhance sleep quality despite challenging circumstances, providing valuable insights into the management of athlete recovery in competitive sports settings.